Final answer:
The highest ranking officers of the Chinese Communist Party abandoned the custom of wearing the Mao suit as China moved towards economic reform and global integration after Mao's era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The highest ranking officers of the Chinese Communist Party abandoned the custom (A) of wearing the Mao suit. The Mao suit, also known as the Sun Yat-sen suit, became a symbol of Chinese communism during the leadership of Mao Zedong. Its simplified style was meant to reject capitalist and traditionalist values, enforcing a sense of equality and unity among party members.
However, as China moved towards reform and opening up under Deng Xiaoping, who succeeded Mao, there was a gradual shift away from these stringent customs. The economic reforms initiated by Deng included a mix of communist and free-market practices, leading to significant changes in all areas of life, including the attire of the party officials. By embracing more modern and sometimes Western-style clothing, these officials symbolically distanced themselves from the strict Maoist era. Styles changed, particularly among the elite, to reflect the new era's focus on economic development and international integration.