I agree on principle. Parties change. Let’s keep in mind the US Republican Party constant blather about being the “party of Lincoln.”

I will say this about the CCP: while the party may have changed in many ways, they have been slow to acknowledge the party’s complicity in the atrocities of the past. Generally these are blamed on ‘factions’ or ‘elements’ or ‘30% of Mao’ or whatever, but not the Party itself. I think this makes a difference and leaves the institution open to these sort of criticisms and (admittedly) cheap shots.

The current ruling party of China may have the same name as the ruling party at the time of the Cultural Rev., but they are strikingly different animals.

Still… funny that they should mix up the dates and celebrate his deathday.

Why no celebration of Sun Zhongshan? Man’s got too many roads and squares already?

Perhaps we should forgive Xinhua for this oversight. After all, life and death are easily confused.

Then again, the CCP don’t make mistakes and, as the report tells us, Hu Jintao was leading the charge of remembrance. Perhaps the guy really does have a sense of humour.