By Shun Sheng, Commentary
Nearly 60 years after the launch of the Cultural Revolution, the political trauma and ideological extremism of that era continue to cast a long shadow over China today.
Officially launched by former Chinese leader Mao Zedong in 1966, the Cultural Revolution plunged China into a decade of political violence, mass persecution, economic collapse, and social chaos. Though the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) later labeled the movement a “serious catastrophe,” it never allowed a full public reckoning over how such a disaster unfolded, or why many of the same authoritarian tendencies remain embedded within the system today.
RELATED: How the Cultural Revolution Systematically Destroyed China’s Cultural Heritage
At its core, the Cultural Revolution was not simply an ideological campaign. It became a struggle centered on political power. Here are 12 ways the Cultural Revolution continues to haunt modern China.
1. The prioritization of political power above all else
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The Cultural Revolution demonstrated how political power could override institutions, laws, and social stability. Critics argue the CCP’s continued emphasis on political loyalty and centralized authority reflects enduring patterns rooted in that era.
2. The persistence of personality cults
Mao’s cult of personality became one of the defining features of the Cultural Revolution. Many observers see echoes of that political culture today in the intense promotion of ideological loyalty surrounding China’s leadership.
3. Restrictions on historical reflection
Public discussion of the Cultural Revolution remains heavily censored inside China. Many younger Chinese have limited exposure to the full history of the movement, preventing broader societal reflection on the catastrophe.
4. Deep distrust of independent thought
The Cultural Revolution punished intellectual independence and dissent. Critics say modern censorship, ideological campaigns, and political controls continue to discourage open debate and critical thinking in order to keep people from uprising.
5. Ongoing fear of political instability
The chaos unleashed during the Cultural Revolution left lasting trauma within both Chinese society and the CCP itself. Analysts believe the Party’s obsession with “stability maintenance” today is partly shaped by fears of repeating that disorder.
6. Lasting damage to China’s education system
Universities halted regular admissions for years during the movement, while intellectuals and educators were publicly denounced, imprisoned, or sent to labor camps. An entire generation lost critical years of formal education.
7. Destruction of traditional culture
Under campaigns such as “Smashing the Four Olds,” Red Guards destroyed ancient temples, books, historical relics, artworks, and traditional customs across China. Much of that cultural loss can never be fully restored or recovered.
8. The erosion of moral and social trust
Families, friends, colleagues, and classmates were encouraged to denounce one another during political campaigns. Critics argue the resulting atmosphere of fear and distrust deeply damaged China’s social fabric. Chinese writer Ba Jin warned of the dangers of psychological servitude during the Cultural Revolution, arguing that mental enslavement was even more damaging than physical oppression.
9. The weaponization of ideology
The Cultural Revolution normalized the use of ideological labels to attack political opponents and silence dissent. Terms such as “counterrevolutionary” were used broadly to justify persecution and public humiliation.
10. Weak legal protections
During the Cultural Revolution, citizens could be detained, beaten, or publicly humiliated without evidence or due process. Critics argue the CCP’s political system still lacks meaningful safeguards against arbitrary state power.
11. Persecution of intellectuals and elites
Scientists, professors, artists, writers, and other professionals were among the movement’s primary targets. Many were driven to suicide, imprisoned, or killed, creating a lasting distrust between intellectual life and political authority.
An example is former Chinese President Liu Shaoqi, who died in detention after being denied medical care during the movement’s political purges.
12. Fear of history repeating itself
Perhaps the Cultural Revolution’s most enduring legacy is the fear that similar forms of ideological extremism and political fanaticism could one day reemerge. Critics argue the CCP never fully confronted the authoritarian structures that enabled the movement. Responsibility was largely shifted onto the “Gang of Four,” while broader questions surrounding concentrated power, censorship, and political control were left unresolved.
Today, frustration over corruption and inequality has even led some people to romanticize aspects of the Mao era, a trend critics warn ignores the immense suffering and destruction caused by the Cultural Revolution itself.
Editorial note: Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Vision Times.
