Sidney Rittenberg was the first American to join the Chinese Communist Party. In his early years, he was a member of the U.S. Communist Party. In 1942, he joined the U.S. military, studied Chinese, and in 1945 went to China with the U.S. military. Through an introduction by Song Qingling, he went to Zhangjiakou to assist the Chinese Communist Party’s Xinhua News Agency in running English broadcasts. In 1946, he went to Yan’an, acquired Chinese citizenship, and officially joined the CCP.

In 1949, Stalin falsely accused him of being an American spy and demanded Mao Zedong arrest him. Rittenberg was imprisoned for six years.

During the early years of the Cultural Revolution, he became a leader of the foreign rebel faction in Beijing, actively participating in radical actions. He publicly denounced Wang Guangmei at large rallies and was even received by Mao at Tiananmen. In 1967, he was falsely imprisoned again for another ten years. In 1980, Rittenberg returned to the United States and worked as a consultant, helping American companies enter China by leveraging his network and reputation. He lived until 2019, dying at the age of 98, demonstrating extraordinary vitality.

Having met several other Americans, Mao naturally thought of Rittenberg and, through the intermediaries of spirits, located him in the underworld.

Rittenberg, not expecting to see Mao so many years after his death, harbored many grievances and seized the opportunity to speak his mind. He asked bluntly: “Why did you call me an American spy in 1949 and send me to prison?”

Mao replied: “That was entirely based on Stalin’s orders. He was the big boss; I had to obey. Actually, Stalin feared that you and Strong would give me too much publicity, surpassing the attention directed at him. So he falsely accused you of being spies and had you arrested.”

Rittenberg said: “During the Cultural Revolution, I led the rebel faction and helped you. Why, then, did you arrest me again the following year?”

Mao said: “You did an excellent job the first year and helped me greatly. But in the second year, I no longer needed your rebel group. I wanted the group disbanded, so I arrested the leader—you. I heard that after my death, you were rehabilitated and returned to the United States.”

Rittenberg: “Returning to the U.S. and regaining my freedom was incredibly relaxing and joyful. To make a living, I helped American companies develop business in China, providing consulting, using my contacts and reputation in China, doing a bit of useful work.”

Mao: “How would you evaluate me?”

Rittenberg: “You were both a great hero and a great criminal. During the revolutionary seizure-of-power era, you were an unrivaled hero. In the thirty years after the founding of the People’s Republic, you became a great criminal. China suffered countless disasters, tens of millions died, people were destitute. Your crimes were greater than Hitler or Stalin.”

Mao: “Many people view me that way. I won’t argue; we will await the Jade Emperor’s judgment. You are a Communist Party member—what do you think of the Communist revolution now?”

Rittenberg: “Joining the Party was a mistake. The entire communist path was wrong. The CCP’s revolutionary seizure of power was wrong. If you hadn’t succeeded in taking power, China today could have been like Taiwan—much better. Today, the mainland is far behind Taiwan in political civilization.”

Mao: “Do you regret joining the Party?”

Rittenberg: “Yes. I am ashamed and humiliated by my past. America didn’t need the Communist Party. The world doesn’t need communism. Returning to free America, I regained my freedom and lived joyfully, grateful to have enjoyed another forty years of life in the U.S.”

Mao: “What do you think the CCP should do now?”

Rittenberg: “The CCP should follow the tide of history, abandon communism, abandon you, and transform into a constitutional democracy—a free and democratic country. You yourself must fully repent before the Jade Emperor.”

With that, Sidney Rittenberg rose, bid farewell, and departed.

NEXT: 32. Liu Shaoqi (1898–1969)