Serve the renminbi

“Serve the People” —Mao Zedong

“Serve the Renminbi” —Mao Zexi

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

Parody of Mao Zedong’s political slogan, “serve the people,” which 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 RMB (rénmínbì 人民币), literally means “the people’s currency.” By adding one extra character, “serve the people” is transformed into “serve the renminbi.” The parody strikes a chord with those who feel that officials are more concerned with accumulating personal wealth than they are with actually serving the people.

Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao hold banners that read, “Don’t serve the people, serve the renminbi.” (Xiao Li)

Serve the renminbi.

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