Bruce Lee is getting belated recognition in the Chinese mainland as the country's state broadcaster prepares to debut a 50-part prime-time series on the late kung fu star.

The announcement, along with a preview of the show, came at a press conference in Beijing, Tuesday.

Lee became a source of national pride to Chinese around the world in the early 1970's. He played roles in which he was called to defend Chinese against oppression. Lee's popularity and influence did not catch on immediately among the people in the Chinese mainland. In those days the country was not so open and the entertainment scene had not yet flourished as it has done in recent years.

Lee died in 1973 from a swelling of the brain. His films didn't surface in the Chinese mainland until they began arrive on video in the 1980's.