Several years ago, I noticed the German novel Hitler Returns (originally published as Er ist wieder da), which sold 1.5 million copies in Germany and was translated into more than thirty languages worldwide, generating significant public discussion. In 2015 it was adapted into a film. The novel portrays Hitler returning as an ordinary citizen—still morally strict, lofty in ideals, polite to others, fond of animals, caring toward the weak, and filled with a sense of mission. Hosting a television program, he wields even greater influence than he did seventy years earlier.

The German people abandoned Hitler, thoroughly condemning his monstrous crimes of launching world war, poisoning six million Jews, and causing thirty million deaths in World War II. Seventy years later, someone could write a novel about him, make it into a film, and still attract a wide audience.

Reading the novel, I was led to think of Mao Zedong. As early as 1945, after the end of World War II, Germany cast off Hitler, returned to the family of free and democratic nations, regained the respect of European countries, and became a leader of the European Union.

But what about China? After Mao Zedong’s death in 1976, the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party have continued to defend him and have not permitted exposure of his crimes. Party propaganda still proclaims Mao a great leader. His portrait remains on the hundred-yuan banknote. Internet controls suppress any negative information about him. In recent years, Party leaders have even emulated Mao in promoting a personality cult, reversing the course of history. As a result, the CCP has been unable, like Germany, to regain the respect of the Chinese people and the nations of the world.

The communist calamity was a malignant tumor in twentieth-century human history, a countercurrent vortex. The Soviet Union long ago abandoned Lenin and Stalin; Russia and Eastern European countries have returned to the modern global trend. Only the CCP and North Korea remain within the vortex. Yet the tide of the world rolls forward irresistibly; the countercurrent vortex stubbornly defended by the CCP will ultimately be swept away by the world’s current. To break free from the communist whirlpool, it is necessary to abandon Mao Zedong, free oneself from the Maoist shadow, undergo a complete transformation, and return to national tradition and the global community.

To abandon Mao Zedong, one must begin by exposing his crimes, by reflection and self-examination, from top to bottom, acknowledging and repenting of wrongdoing in full. It is my hope that the leaders of the CCP will gain insight, reflect and repent as soon as possible, and lead the nation toward a transition to democratic constitutional governance, making amends for past wrongs. The prerequisite is first to fully expose and condemn his enormous crimes—starving forty million peasants to death and causing the deaths, persecution, and destruction of thirty million compatriots.

This book received prefaces and support for publication from Yu Jinshan, former chairman of the New York Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association; Cai Tianshi, a New York Chinese writer; Wei Hong, a political educator residing in the United States; Professor Xu Wenli; and others. I express my sincere thanks here. The book began with materials collected and written by Zhong Wen. Owing to advanced age and limited energy, Ai Zhonghua joined in, and together we completed it. Several colleagues also provided substantial assistance along the way, enabling the book to take its present form and meet its readers.

The plot of The Trial of Mao Zedong is fictional, though the dialogues are based on historical sources. Should readers discover any inaccuracies, we sincerely welcome criticism and correction.

It should be noted that some photographs used in this book were sourced from online databases. We were unable to contact the original creators prior to use. If there is any improper usage, please contact the author (ddeng1203@gmail.com).

History is not merely the story of victors and vanquished. Mao triumphed in his lifetime, but while he achieved personal success, the nation suffered. Within the ruling Communist group itself, figures such as Liu Shaoqi were largely purged. Those who aided tyranny brought consequences upon themselves. Posterity will render judgment in the annals of history; an awakened people are the true judges of history. I also hope readers will not hesitate to offer criticism of this humble work.

Eradicating the lingering poison of Mao Zedong remains a vast social undertaking in China. We call upon those in power within the CCP to lift prohibitions and allow the people to see the true historical record of Mao, to recognize his real nature, remove his harmful influence, and thereby facilitate the nation’s transition to democratic constitutional governance.

Zhong Wen

First draft: Early March 2017
Revised: January 2019
Completed: August 2019

NEXT: Appendix: Feeling no different from a pig or a dog