Four decades after Mao Zedong’s death in 1976, his legacy continues to divide opinion. While some in China still revere the Great Helmsman, historian Frank Dikötter describes Mao as one of the greatest criminals of the 20th century.
Mao’s death triggered a bitter power struggle that ended with the rise of Deng Xiaoping, who had been sidelined during Mao’s final years. Taking the helm of China, Deng introduced economic reforms that transformed the lives of Chinese citizens and profoundly changed the country.
Those reforms convulsed China but also laid the foundations for its emergence as a modern economic superpower. This documentary traces how Deng triumphed after Mao’s death and led China into the 21st century, revealing a decisive period in the country’s modern history.
Documentary: The Asian Century EP1 : The Death of Mao
Directed by: Shehzad Hameed Ahmad
Production: Mediacorp
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