U.S. Court Upholds Stanford's Ownership of Li Rui's Diaries Amid Beijing Repatriation Efforts
What happened
On March 31, 2026, a U.S. District Court ruled that the diaries of Li Rui, Mao Zedong's former secretary, can remain at Stanford University, rejecting a repatriation order from Beijing.
The Context
- Li Rui's legacy: He documented critical events in Chinese history, including the Great Leap Forward famine that resulted in an estimated 35 million deaths.
- Censorship concerns: The court acknowledged risks of censorship or destruction of these materials if returned to China, aligning with Li Rui's wishes for public access.
- Legal battle: The ruling followed a five-year legal dispute, during which Li Rui's widow sought to reclaim the diaries based on a Beijing court judgment.
The Number
This figure represents the estimated deaths from the Great Leap Forward famine (1958-1961), a significant part of Li Rui's diaries, highlighting the importance of preserving historical accounts for understanding governance failures.
Takeaway
The preservation of Li Rui's diaries at Stanford signals a commitment to safeguarding historical narratives against potential state censorship, influencing future academic and policy discussions.
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