Mao Zedong, the longtime Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party and the founder of the People’s Republic of China, was reported to have expressed his gratitude to the Japanese military and political figures who visited China in the 1950s and 1970s. Mao said that the Japanese invasion of China had united Chinese people and allowed the Chinese Communist Party to win the Chinese Civil War.
In the 21st century, these remarks by Mao caused strong reactions on the internet in China. With the 2020 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) history subject controversy on the historical understanding of Japan’s invasion of China, these remarks have returned to the spotlight on Hong Kong and mainland Chinese websites. The word “thanks” expressed by Mao has been also interpreted by some observers as dark humour.
I think the controversial bit, is that it’s thanking a rival nation for invading and committing atrocities.
It’d be like if Zelensky came out and thanked Putin for invading Ukraine, as it let him be president over a more united country.
Sure, maybe technically correct, but people probably would be (rightfully) pretty pissed if he said it.
I understood what you mean, but I still think people are trying to twist his words, especially in these times of conflict between China and Japan.
In reality he says (according to that article):
And also:
He’s basically bragging about his country, his own people and their victory, but in a diplomatic way.
And the context has become more relevant and trending, due to the recent japan china diplomatic row considering Taiwan.