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In the 20th century, in that extraordinary century, world politics underwent great changes, and the rise and fall of the Soviet Union became a microcosm of earth-shaking history. Stalin, the supreme leader of the Soviet Union, the leader of the international communist movement, his influence was profound and lasting. On February 28, 1953, the night of the Kremlin party, Stalin was in a happy mood and in a calm state. However, the next day, he collapsed on the floor of the restaurant, speechless, and the doctor's emergency rescue could not be saved. On the night of March 5, Stalin died in his dacha, and the world lost a great leader.
Faced with this bad news, Chairman Mao's heart was shaken. When the news came, he could not open his mouth for a long time, did not even eat, but smoked silently. A meeting of the Politburo of the Central Committee was immediately held to formally send a message of condolence to the Soviet Union and express deep grief. Under the circumstances, Chairman Mao was not able to attend Stalin's funeral, and in fact, multiple reasons contributed to this unattainable fact. In early 1953, Chairman Mao went out to inspect the work of the whole country to understand various problems in the socialist transition. He traveled south for a month, returning to Beijing at the end of February. Therefore, he could not immediately rush to Moscow to see off Stalin.
However, Chairman Mao's absence from attending the funeral in person is also closely related to the complexity of his feelings towards Stalin. Chairman Mao always had an objective and fair attitude toward Stalin. He always remained respectful and never accused Stalin in public. He has written several times praising Stalin's exploits and expressing his respect for him. However, in 1956, the 20th Congress of the CPSU was held, and Khrushchev's secret report shocked the world. The CPC Central Committee attaches great importance to conducting in-depth analysis of the world political situation. Chairman Mao said that although he did not want to write, he could not but write intellectually, and he must write it, especially for Stalin's later regime. The complexity of this emotion and the world situation that cannot be ignored together influence his decision-making.
Stalin's influence was far-reaching. He was a great practitioner of the revolution and made great contributions in the process of resistance and construction. However, there were also problems with his decision-making, especially during the Chinese revolution. Wang Ming's mistakes of right-leaning opportunism and left-leaning adventurism were both related to Stalin's influence. During the Liberation War, Stalin resolutely opposed the Chinese revolution, and even said that "no revolution is allowed", which put pressure on New China. Although the two countries established diplomatic relations after the founding of New China, Stalin also attached unequal conditions, which made the CCP rethink the way it cooperated with it.
Although Chairman Mao did not attend the funeral in person, he held large-scale memorial activities in China. The flying of the flag at half-mast throughout the country and the cessation of all banquets and entertainment reflect the deep condolences of the Chinese people for Stalin. He personally laid a wreath at Stalin's portrait and published a memorial article. In addition, the memorial service in Beijing was large-scale, showing respect for Stalin. Although he could not go to Moscow in person, Chairman Mao's actions and words expressed his deep friendship with Stalin.
Throughout history, Stalin's brilliance and challenges have been intertwined. He was a great practitioner with his own mistakes. Chairman Mao's emotions and attitudes were also complex and diverse. Although objective factors prevented his funeral attendance, Chairman Mao's respect and remembrance of Stalin, as well as the deep friendship between the two peoples, shine through history. This "greatest friendship" became a testimony of the times and was passed down forever.
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