Serve the renminbi

“Serve the People” — Mao Zedong

“Serve for Renminbi” — Mao Zexi

为人民币服务 (wèi rénmínbì fú wù): serve for renminbi

This is a parody of Mao Zedong's famous political slogan, “serve the people.” The original phrase is reproduced in Mao’s calligraphy above many government buildings and in front of the entrance to Zhongnanhai, the complex that houses the Central People’s Government and the Communist Party of China.

China's currency, the renminbi (RMB), literally means “the people's currency” (人民币 rénmínbì). By adding one extra character, the phrase "serve the people" is transformed into “serve for renminbi” or “serve in order to get renminbi.” In referencing official corruption, the parody strikes a chord with those who feel that officials are more concerned with accumulating personal wealth than they are with serving the people.

“Don't serve the people, serve for renminbi.” Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao are holding the banners.

Serve for renminbi

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