China’s Politburo to Drop Mao

Talk about harsh. China’s ruling Communist Party said on Monday that it will drop customary references to Mao Zedong in statements ahead of its leadership transition later this year. The move is the strongest hint yet that the Politburo is seriously considering reform, as Mao has always been referenced with Marx, Lenin, and Deng Xiaoping as ideological heroes in the party’s documents. The Politburo also said it will consider amending the party’s constitution. The significant move comes just months after the ouster of Bo Xilai, a powerful political boss who is being investigated for alleged involvement in the murder of British diplomat Neil Heywood.