The Dalian Modern Museum once boasted exhibits on the achievements that brought renown to the city and its former mayor Bo Xilai. Not any more, with China’s propaganda machine dismantling Bo’s reputation as his trial approaches.
Any references to the one-time political star at the US$24 million museum have disappeared, along with once-prominent displays showcasing signature features of Dalian, which Bo is credited with transforming in the 1990s.
In recent months a hodgepodge of items have instead been on show, among them a gallery of American artwork, display cases of 20th century pipes and stamps, and Inner Mongolian stirrups and jewellery dating back a millennium.
There’s this idea of getting rid of everything, the person and the accomplishments
Although some locals still remember him fondly, the makeover is emblematic of the way the ruling Communist Party is scrubbing away the vestiges of the disgraced politician, whose trial on bribery and other charges is scheduled this month.
“There’s this idea of getting rid of everything, the person and the accomplishments,” said Maria Repnikova, an Oxford University researcher into state-media relations in China.
“While it might appear disturbing to many observers, if you look at other historic events it seems like this method has been used in the past.”
Many Chinese know little of the bloody 1989 crackdown on the Tiananmen protests, which are not referred to in school textbooks.