Final answer:
The Beijing Opera was used by the Chinese government as a propaganda tool to unify the empire historically and to propagate political ideologies, particularly during the 20th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
Beijing Opera was unique because it was promoted by the Chinese government into the early 20th century as a tool of propagating political ideology. The Sui and Tang dynasties used it to unify the empire and validate their rule, while during the 20th century, figures such as Mao Zedong were glorified in art as part of a larger propaganda effort. The government of the People's Republic of China made extensive use of such cultural tools to steer public opinion and support. These practices included detailing how important figures should be portrayed and regulated how their images, like that of Mao Zedong, were to be handled and displayed. This usage of the Beijing Opera and other art forms was part of a broader tradition of using propaganda to influence the populace and assert political narratives.