Maintenance work on the former residence of late leader Mao Zedong, founder of both the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the People's Republic of China (PRC) at his birthplace in central-south Hunan province, has begun and will be completed in mid December, on the eve of Mao's upcoming birthday anniversary in December.

This represents the largest overhaul project on Mao's former residence in Shaoshan city, which is expected to be completed in a matter of 50 days and reopen to the public on December 26 as part of this year's activities to mark Mao's 111th birth day.

Mao's former residence is now closed with wooden planks erecting around for the overhaul, which is focused on old roofs, some parts of earthen-brick walls and decayed doors and window frameworks.

The residence will be equipped with a fire-fighting system and a monitoring network. Some broken and damaged furniture in the residence will also be undergo major repairs, so that they would retain the original look of the century-old farm cottage.

Late Chairman Mao Zedong, born in the residence on December 26,1893, led the Chinese new democratic revolution and socialist revolution and construction for some four decades from 1935 to 1976. He spent much of his childhood and youth in Shaoshan, the "sacred home" to the people across China. Mao passed away in early September 1976.
 
(Xinhua News Agency November 8, 2004)