The Clue China's longtime leader ____ Zedong
The Answer MAO
The answer is "Mao" because it refers to Mao Zedong, who was a key leader in China for many years. He was the founding father of the People's Republic of China and led the country from 1949 until his death in 1976. Mao is a well-known figure in history, making this answer a good fit for the crossword clue. His policies and leadership had a significant impact on China and the world.