Is Mao Xinyu Pretending to Be Foolish? It Turns Out There Are Influential Figures Guiding Him

Left: Mao Zedong, Right: Lin Biao

[People News] The military parade on September 3 in Beijing drew attention when Mao Zedong's grandson, Mao Xinyu, and his family attended the ceremony at Tiananmen Square. Mao Xinyu's unique status often leads to unexpected actions that become a source of public amusement, and his intelligence has even been questioned. Is he genuinely naive or merely acting?

Videos and discussions about Mao Xinyu's family attending the parade surged to the top of the trending list on mainland Weibo and Baidu search platforms late on the night of the 6th. The clips show Mao Xinyu and his son Mao Dongdong both dressed in military uniforms, while his wife Liu Bin wore a light blue top with white pants, and his daughter Mao Tianyi was in sportswear. During the event, Mao Tianyi was seen whispering to her father several times.

According to reports from the Chinese Communist Party's official media, Mao Tianyi is 17 years old and attends Beijing 101 High School, a prestigious institution. She developed a passion for the piano at the age of six and is known as a 'little piano prodigy.' By 2016, she had successfully passed the level 7 piano examination at the Central Conservatory of Music.

The report also mentions that Mao Xinyu's son, Mao Dongdong, is currently studying at the National University of Defence Technology. When he noticed that his father Mao Xinyu's belt was not properly arranged, Mao Dongdong immediately turned to help his father fix it.

Within the Chinese Communist Party's princeling faction, Mao Xinyu stands out as a 'maverick' figure. In addition to being the direct grandson of Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the Communist Party, his behaviour often seems at odds with his doctoral degree and the rank of major general he holds.

Mao Xinyu's inscriptions frequently spark a flurry of comments online. On December 20, 2003, during a visit to Hunan First Normal University, where Mao Zedong once studied, Mao Xinyu chose not to use the reference phrases prepared by the staff for his inscription. Instead, he insisted on rewriting a famous quote from Mao Zedong: 'First Normal is a good school.' He added, 'Rewriting it makes it more meaningful; let’s enhance the reputation of First Normal a bit!' 

His calligraphy has been affectionately dubbed the 'First Normal Post' by netizens. When discussing his own calligraphy, Mao Xinyu remarked, 'I have already picked up some tricks for learning calligraphy, and my writing will definitely improve over time.' 

Known for his humour, he gives off a harmless vibe compared to other princelings. 

Self-media analysts note that during Mao Zedong's era, countless officials within the party were purged. Given the brutal nature of the Communist Party's internal struggles, it is likely that without the protection and guidance of influential figures around his mother, Shao Hua, Mao Xinyu would have found it difficult to survive the cutthroat political environment. 

He has been described as appearing somewhat foolish, leading to the impression that Mao Zedong's descendants are both dim-witted and clumsy. However, there is a hidden wisdom within Mao Xinyu. Perhaps his innate ability to appear foolish yet wise has contributed to his longevity. 

Some speculate that Mao Xinyu's father, Mao Anqing, suffers from mental illness, suggesting a hereditary aspect. 

'Mao Xinyu, the grandson of the old demon king and the son of a mentally ill man, is easily perceived as somewhat intellectually challenged, yet this seemingly challenged individual holds both a PhD and a general's rank.'

When it comes to intelligence, Mao Xinyu once mistakenly believed that the three major battles were part of the War of Resistance Against Japan, which reflects his erudition. He also claimed that his grandfather commanded these battles, leading to victory in the war, showcasing his meticulousness. As for his calligraphy and demeanour, that is for everyone to judge for themselves.

Additionally, some netizens argue that the perception of Mao Xinyu as foolish is merely a superficial impression formed through online interactions; in reality, he is not foolish at all, at least his intelligence appears normal in daily life. Our interpretation of his foolishness often stems from his unfiltered speech and lack of restraint in his actions, habits developed from being overly pampered in childhood, which have nothing to do with actual foolishness. Mao Xinyu behaves like a giant baby, acting foolishly, but he is not foolish in the conventional sense.

In fact, I believe he is quite fortunate; in a ruthless environment like the Communist Party, he lives a carefree and liberated life, which is a greater blessing than those who endure the 996 work culture. So what if he lacks intelligence?

Whether he is genuinely foolish or merely pretending, he will have to continue in this manner. Consider this: Mao's descendants have only one fool who has survived; is that just a coincidence?

According to internal sources, Mao Xinyu's foolish behaviour in public, under the harsh system of the Chinese Communist Party, represents both a form of survival wisdom and the kind of difficulties that outsiders cannot comprehend.

Some netizens have pointed out that it is precisely because he is perceived as foolish that he was not targeted during the purges. △