Dear Slate, yes there are chocolate bars in China
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Coming soon to a police checkpoint near you
The Beijing News recently reported on the unveiling of a 24-carat gold-plated 7-metre high statue of Chairman Mao in Changsha, capital of his home province of Hunan.
Agence-France Presse notes that the report "did not disclose the cost of the project, but said a local pharmaceutical company footed the bill", and that the statue has "triggered a heated debate over the Internet on the need for such a lavish display".
Particularly interesting are the following two quotes in the AFP report from Chinese netizens on opposing ends of the spectrum:
'Chairman Mao was opposed to waste. This is going to upset a lot of old people. There is no need for something like this.''Chairman Mao is the pride of the people. To put up this kind of golden statue gives no cause for criticism.'
Meanwhile, Shanghaiist's neighbourhood Hunan restaurant has been offering joss sticks to a mini statue of Mao. Hmm. Only 33 shopping days left until Mao's birthday!
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Wait a minute! Do Mao and Jesus have the same b-day?
Comparing Jesus and Mao shows just how bad off Chinese society really is.
Is erecting a statue covered in 24 kt. gold of Chairman Mao an act of honour? do the chinese like to make gold statues of men when there are millions living in poverty in tne country? there are better ways to honour a man, and there are better uses for the money. what happened to worrying more about global issues that are so prominent in China? the gold statue does not honour the man - it disgraces the country