>We know that millions died under Mao yet he is still praised
It's my understanding that Mao is held in good regard by his people for the communist revolution, which liberated China from colonial powers, their colonization by the West and the Japanese occupation being a deeply disturbing part of their history.
It is also my understanding that Mao is also considered by most to have been misguided, senile, and/or perhaps usurped by others (like the gang of four) for things like the great leap forward and the cultural revolution which happened later. He is not admired for these events.
It's my understanding that Mao is held in good regard by his people for the communist revolution, which liberated China from colonial powers, their colonization by the West and the Japanese occupation being a deeply disturbing part of their history.
It is also my understanding that Mao is also considered by most to have been misguided, senile, and/or perhaps usurped by others (like the gang of four) for things like the great leap forward and the cultural revolution which happened later. He is not admired for these events.