They had come from throughout the country, remembering the date even though Mao passed away long ago, and ready to pay their respects to the leader who founded the People's Republic of China and changed the country's destiny.

A bunch of white flowers in his hand, Liu Jun, a 36-year-old writer from north China's Shanxi Province, headed the queue. "To me, he is just like an older friend," he said.

Since 1991, Liu has visited Mao's memorial on the anniversary of both his birth and death. He could not remember how many times he had come to see his friend.

"I think I can completely understand him. He was always thinking of what was best for people and wasn't afraid of pressure or challenges," Liu said. To him, Mao is a "truly selfless and fearless hero".

More people joined those waiting outside the hall, inside which Mao's body has been carefully preserved for people to visit and pay their respects.

North of the hall, stands the Tian'anmen gate, newly painted to celebrate the upcoming 53rd National Day and the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

"Chairman Mao changed the fate of our generation and our lives would have followed another pattern if it were not for him," said Wang Yufeng, a woman from Hunan Province, where Mao also came from.

Wang has collected Mao badges for over 10 years and she wore a golden one featuring Mao's portrait on Monday. "I'll leave the collection to my children, who should know about such a great person," she said.

"Mao's thoughts are riches to us and each new recruit to our crew will get a book of Mao's thoughts to read and familiarizes himself with," said Ge Jianming, chief driver of a railway locomotive which was named after Mao in October 1946.

The Selected Works of Mao Zedong, or Mao Xuan, used to be the most popular book among Chinese readers in 1960s and 1970s.

Opened 30 minutes earlier than usual, the hall received plenty of visitors including Mao's daughter Li Min, his grandchildren, and a couple of clerks who once worked for him.

"Hello, Chairman. We are now here to see you," said Li Liancheng, Mao's former chief guard, bowing solemnly to Mao's body which lay quietly under the flag of the Communist Party of China in a crystal coffin.

Child of a farmer's family, Mao successfully led the Chinese people to overthrow the old social system and founded the People?s Republic of China on October 1,1949. His philosophy has affected Chinese society since the mid 20th century.

Mao died on Sept. 9, 1976.

Over 130 million people had visited the memorial hall since it opened on Sept. 9, 1977, said hall staff member Chu Fengming.

(Xinhua News Agency Septembert 10, 2002)