Resolution criteria

• Yes if, before Xi Jinping’s death, a physical portrait of Xi is hung on the central mount of the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen gatehouse) above the middle arch, where Mao’s portrait normally hangs, and this is shown by photos/video from at least two independent, reputable outlets (e.g., Xinhua/CCTV, Reuters, AP, Getty Editorial). Projections, digital screens, banners, interior displays, placements elsewhere in Tiananmen Square, or side facades do not count. (en.wikipedia.org). Whether Mao's portrait is still there or is replaced by Xi's will not affect resolution.

• No if Xi’s death is officially announced and no such display has occurred; resolve within 7 days of the announcement based on state media or government notice and corroboration by a major international outlet (e.g., Reuters/AP/BBC). (reuters.com)

Background

• Since Oct 1, 1949, a single large portrait overlooks Tiananmen Square from the gatehouse; it has been Mao Zedong’s image, repainted and re-hung annually (approx. 6 × 4.5 m; ~1.5 t). (en.wikipedia.org, en.people.cn, chinadaily.com.cn)

• Exceptions are extremely rare: on Mar 9, 1953, Mao’s portrait was briefly replaced by Joseph Stalin’s for mourning; after Mao’s death in 1976, a black‑and‑white photo of Mao was displayed with mourning banners. Before the PRC, Sun Yat‑sen and later Chiang Kai‑shek were hung on the gatehouse. (en.wikipedia.org)

Considerations

• A Xi portrait here would be unprecedented for a living PRC leader and would likely be widely documented; avoid trading on single-source or social-only claims. (reuters.com)

• Don’t confuse annual maintenance (new Mao portrait installed) with a leader change; look for explicit identification of Xi in captions from major outlets. (en.people.cn, chinadaily.com.cn)

• Portraits or iconography elsewhere in the square during parades/holiday decor do not qualify—the portrait must hang on the gatehouse’s central mount. (en.wikipedia.org)