BEIJING, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The Communist Party of China marked the 120th anniversary of Mao Zedong's birth with a symposium, party officials said.
President Xi Jinping told the Wednesday gathering Mao's thoughts can guide China forward.
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1 of 2 | Small statues of Mao Zedong are sold at a museum dedicated to former chairman Mao Zedong in Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province in China on October 28, 2013. More than $2.5 billion is being poured into the hometown of China's founding father Mao Zedong to mark the 120th anniversary of his birth, local media reported. The amount of money being spent to celebrate Mao's birthday has prompted outrage online with many expressing anger and disappointment with the country's leaders. UPI/Stephen Shaver | License Photo
"The road decides the fate. It is difficult to find the right road. Socialism with Chinese characteristics did not fall from the sky. It was achieved by the Party and the people after [they] experienced all kinds of hardships and paid a high price," he said.
Xi, other senior officials and many civilians also visited Mao's mausoleum in Tiananmen Square, crienglish.com reported.
"My peers grew up under Mao Zedong Thoughts. We have deep feelings for Mao Zedong. So I come to the mausoleum every year," said Jia Zhengyu, a civilian who visited the mausoleum Wednesday.
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