Mango Fever in China

In August 1968, amidst the fervour of the Cultural Revolution, Pakistan sent its first crate of mangoes as a diplomatic gift to Chairman Mao Zedong. Mian Arshad Hussain, the then Foreign Minister of Pakistan and former High Commissioner to India in Beijing, presented the crate to Mao.

Although Mao did not eat the fruit himself, the mangoes were distributed to workers from the Mao Zedong Thought Propaganda Team. At that time, mangoes were a rarity in China, and their arrival sparked significant interest during the Cultural Revolution. They quickly became emblematic of Mao’s affection for his citizens.

Despite the hot weather threatening their quality, the mangoes were widely transported across the nation. They were even replicated in wax for displays and became motifs on Mao badges, quilts, and various household items. The phenomenon surrounding these mangoes was dubbed ​“mango fever” or the ​“cult of the mango,” highlighting their unexpected cultural impact during this era.