Marshal Lin Biao, who was handpicked by Chairman Mao Zedong to succeed him as China's leader, but who died a "traitor", has been resurrected as a military hero in a new exhibition in Beijing's Military Museum.
Lin's portrait is included among the "Ten Marshals" who are lauded as the founders of the Chinese armed forces in the exhibition to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Lin, officially denounced for his "treacherous" plot to overthrow Mao, is shown with his nine peers in a display rarely seen since his death in September 1971.
Jiang Tingyu, senior researcher at the Chinese Military Museum, said, "With objective thinking, we decided to put the picture of Lin Biao together with the other nine marshals.
"We have to show history as it was."
The so-called Ten Marshals have been lauded since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou Enlai were not among the Ten Marshals. Lin died in a plane crash in Mongolia while fleeing after an alleged failed coup attempt. He retained the rank of marshal, but his name and portrait have rarely appeared in public since.
Widely regarded as a talented military leader, Marshal Lin led the Communist forces in several notable victories in the wars against both Japanese invaders in the 1930s and 1940s and the Kuomintang regime. He was a principal leader in two of the three biggest victories over the Nationalist army in the late 1940s.
In 1955, Lin was honored as a marshal.
However, he and Mao held different political views that developed into a rift. Lin was alleged to have approved a coup against Mao, but fled after Mao learned of his intentions.
Lin's posthumous appraisal remained after Mao's death in 1976. The Supreme People's Court in 1981 held Lin responsible for "counter-revolutionary" activities. He was officially the "ringleader of the alleged coup," but his name is mentioned twice in middle school textbooks.
The Chinese Military Encyclopedia (1997 Edition) also commented on both official judgment on Lin as well as his military glories.
A visitor to the exhibition said, "The public showing of Lin's picture shows that we respect history."
The exhibits include declassified materials, such as details on research into atomic weapons and satellites.
A manually-operated mechanical computer, which was used in atomic weapons research and development, is for the first time on public display.
The exhibition is free and will run till August 20.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article