Class

The Institute was not just a memorial to the past. Its existence emphasises the importance of the peasantry in building socialism in China. Furthermore it was at this institute that Chairman Mao delivered his famous "Analysis of Classes in Chinese Society", an analysis which explained the contradictions of Chinese society and answered the question "who are our friends and who are our enemies in the revolution" Because class struggle is still continuing in China, Chairman Mao's analysis of classes in Chinese society is still very relevant do-day.

A revolutionary puppet show in Shanghai also related the past to the present. The show was about a local action of the 8th Route Army against the Japanese invaders. As my past experience of puppet shows was limited to a Punch and Judy performance at a Christmas party at Fords factory when I was about eight, I wasn't prepared for the brilliant technical standard of the show. It was like watching a movie. The scenery and use of backdrop projection was quite amazing, and the puppets moved very naturally, lighting and smoking cigarettes, for example, with great ease.