A former residence of Mao Zedong, the founder of PRC reopened to visitors Wednesday following a 50-day renovation.

The repair work started on Oct. 26 and was completed on Tuesday, according to Peng Shixiong, deputy curator of Memorial Hall of Mao Zedong. The roof, wall, floor, furniture and farm tools had been ruined.

In order to better protect this cultural relics and ensure orderly visits, radio equipment and video monitors, including 13 pick-up microphones, were fixed for the first time both inside and outside of the building, Peng said.

Meanwhile, a shrine and memorial tablets of Mao's ancestors were restored in the main hall of the building while originals of a scale and a ladle used for measuring rice were also recovered.

"The repair work was rigidly in accordance with relative regulations for protection of cultural relics," acknowledged Peng.

Zhu Xuerong, a visitor from eastern China's Zhejiang Province, noticed few changes in the repaired residence compared with one year ago.

"It is necessary to maintain the former residence of Chairman Mao, a leader of eminence in China's history," he said.

The building, which opened to visitors 54 years ago, has received approximately 50 million visits.

It was first renovated in 1952 and nearly resumed its original look. Its second remedy was conducted in 1967.

In 1961, the State Council declared the residence to be "a cultural unit under key protection."

(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2004)