Mao's secret project number one

Complaints about counterfeits are part of everyday life in the China business. Yet most expats are unaware of one of the most spectacular imitations: Mao Zedong once even had the Tian'anmen Gate secretly torn down and rebuilt. For a long time, no one doubted the copy's authenticity. But 87 centimeters of height difference betrayed the secret.

Last updated: 24. July 2025