Chinese authorities stopped the exportation of a painting by the great artist Huang Yan, considering it “offensive” to Mao Zedong. The painting should have been exhibited in Paris but it seems that it will not leave China since it was held as profane towards the historical leader.

Mao Zedong’s iconography is a question of extreme importance for the Chinese government that like all totalitarian regimes imposes a huge respect for the representation of the charismatic leader. During these past few days only, news arrived of the great painting of Mao that dominated Tiananmen square. It was damaged by an act of vandalism after which the police had actually closed access to the prohibited city in the centre of Pechino. The act may have been carried out by a man that was quickly arrested by authorities. The last time that something like this had happened, the criminals were condemned to ten years imprisonment.