Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, died on 9 September 1976 at the age of 82, following a period of ill health.

Mao's organs failed quickly and he fell into a coma shortly before noon and was put on a ventilator and life support machines.

On 8 September, when it was clear the comatose Mao was beyond recovery, Chinese government officials decided to disconnect his life support machines at midnight.

[5] Wei Guoqing, Liu Bocheng, Jiang Qing, Xu Shiyou, Ji Dengkui, Wu De, Wang Dongxing, Chen Yonggui, Chen Xilian, Li Xiannian, Li Desheng, Yao Wenyuan, Wu Guixian, Su Zhenhua, Ni Zhifu, Saifuddin Azizi, Soong Ching Ling, Guo Moruo, Xu Xiangqian, Nie Rongzhen, Chen Yun, Tan Zhenlin, Li Jingquan, Zhang Dingzhen, Cai Chang, Ulanhu, Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme, Zhou Jianren, Xu Dezhen, Hu Yuwen, Li Suwen, Yao Lianwei, Wang Zhen, Yu Qiuli, Gu Mu, Sun Jian, Su Yu, Shen Yanbing, Pagbalha Geleg Namgyai, and Jiang Hua all partook in paying posthumous tributes to Mao.

Mao's embalmed, CCP-flag-draped body lay in state at the Great Hall of the People for one week.