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'Grandson Mao' Rises Through Army Ranks

Chairman's heir becomes youngest-ever general

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 25, 2009 1:21 AM CDT

(Newser) – Chairman Mao's grandson and only surviving male heir looks unlikely to ever become China's Great Helmsman, but he is rising through the ranks of the People's Liberation Army. At the age of 39 he's the nation's youngest-ever general. Mao Xinyu has no memories of his famous grandfather, who died in 1976, but he fiercely defends his legacy and maintains a staunchly patriotic blog.

"Grandson Mao" is given respectful treatment by the traditional media, but bloggers are prone to mock his weight—220 pounds—and his often unkempt appearance, reports the New York Times. Mao has kept a low profile compared with the children of other heavyweights in the Chinese Communist Party, and has sometimes complained about the pressures of the family legacy. "As a descendant of the Leader, I do have a lot of stress,” he told a Chinese newspaper. “I feel that people are always watching my behavior, so I must do good.”

Mao Xinyu, left, the grandson of late Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong, walks through Tiananmen Square. (AP Photo/Greg Baker, File)

Mao Xinyu, left, the grandson of late Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong, walks through Tiananmen Square. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)

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'Grandson Mao' Rises Through Army Ranks

Chairman's heir becomes youngest-ever general

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Massive Parade Marks China's 60th Birthday

Huge festivities combine modern power with Communist kitsch

Mao Successor Hua Dies at 87

'Gang of Four' arrest credited with preventing civil war

China Leaders Love Luxe Cars

Activists fume as officials drive Bentleys, Maseratis

China Looks to Wrench Pacific Reign From US

Military buildup challenging America's long dominance

Rebel Chinese Village Wins Concessions

Wukan roadblocks lifted, land to be returned

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Chairman's heir becomes youngest-ever general

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

China • People's Liberation Army • Mao Zedong • Chinese Communist party • Chinese military • Mao Xinyu

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Massive Parade Marks China's 60th Birthday

Huge festivities combine modern power with Communist kitsch

Mao Successor Hua Dies at 87

'Gang of Four' arrest credited with preventing civil war

China Leaders Love Luxe Cars

Activists fume as officials drive Bentleys, Maseratis

China Looks to Wrench Pacific Reign From US

Military buildup challenging America's long dominance

Rebel Chinese Village Wins Concessions

Wukan roadblocks lifted, land to be returned

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

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More News

What is Newser?