Chinese Hope for a ‘Gorbachev’ Figure

According to a report on August 31st, the death of the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, sparked heated discussions among Chinese social media at home and abroad. Many were in mourning and remembrance, and some people connected with the current situation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They praised Gorbachev’s historical achievements in disintegrating the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and bringing peace to the world, and called on the Chinese version of “Gorbachev” to be released.

 The report pointed out that Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, died at the age of 91 on the day the CCP announced the date of the 20th National Congress of China. The CCP associates Gorbachev with experience and lessons, the collapse of the party and the country and the disintegration of the Communist Party, and its evaluation of Gorbachev is full of derogatory colors.

 However, many on social media at home and abroad thought differently, and voiced praise for Gorbachev, “an epoch-making great man who will live on even if he did only one thing right – dismantle the Soviet Union.” Others on Twitter called for the emergence of a “Gorbachev” in China. Some even suggested that there might be a “Gorbachev” within the CCP.