Shaoshan (TDI): Pakistan’s President visited Shaoshan, the birthplace of Mao Zedong, during his five-day visit to China; where he laid a wreath at his statue and paid homage to one of China’s most influential revolutionary leaders.
At the Statue Square in Shaoshan, President Asif Ali Zardari was received by senior Chinese officials, including Li Jiyang and Zhang Xihui.
The officials briefed him on Mao’s early life in Shaoshan, outlining the social and political influences that shaped his ideological outlook and revolutionary path.
The President was also informed about the role of local memorial institutions in preserving China’s revolutionary heritage.
President Asif Ali Zardari visited Shaoshan, hometown of Chairman Mao, laid a wreath at his statue and paid tribute to the revolutionary leader. He also toured the Memorial Museum, highlighting China’s revolutionary history and heritage. pic.twitter.com/hcmmQO8zeB
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) April 28, 2026
Officials emphasized efforts to maintain historical archives and promote public understanding of the country’s transformation under Mao’s leadership.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, President Zardari toured the Mao Zedong Memorial Museum, where he examined a range of historical artefacts, archival materials, and curated exhibits that document key phases of China’s revolutionary journey, including the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949.
Speaking on the occasion, he paid tribute to Mao Zedong’s pivotal role in shaping modern China, and acknowledged Mao’s contribution to national unity, independence, and socio-economic development.
He also remarked that preservation of these sites provides valuable insight into the forces that shaped modern China and that historical memory plays a critical role in guiding national progress and fostering a sense of identity.
The President was accompanied by a delegation including Saleem Mandviwalla, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Ali Hassan Brohi, and Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar. Both the ambassador of China to Pakistan and that of Pakistan to China – Jiang Zaidong and Khalil Hashmi – were also present.
