Chairman Mao statues get norms

• Source: Global Times
• [03:25 June 22 2010]
• Comments

Hunan Province promulgated standards Monday for the manufacture of Chairman Mao statues to curb the production of substandard products.

The Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision in Hunan officially promulgated the standards in Shaoshan, Mao Zedong's hometown.

"The move is expected to curtail the production and sale of low-quality Mao statues that harm the tourism market and people's feeling for the great man," said the bureau's chief engineer, Jiang Tao.

Tourists visiting Shaoshan have complained about the inferior quality of the statues peddlers and small stalls sell.

Some souvenirs sold were physically disproportional while others were made with low-quality materials in a slipshod way, said Jiang.

The regulation that takes effect July 1 prescribes the appearance, materials and surface-thickness and hardness for the statues. Mass-produced statues must pass a strict examination to ensure the statues reflect Mao's real appearance, the regulation says.

From July, statues failed to meet the technical criteria may be confiscated and destroyed by the relevant authorities.

"The establishment of the standards reflects people's respect and love for my grandfather. It will have significant bearing on the promotion of China's revolutionary traditions and patriotism," said 40-year-old Mao Xinyu, Chairman Mao's grandson.

Shaoshan souvenir sales hit 124 million yuan ($18.2 million) in 2009, 70 percent of which was from Mao statues, the city's tourism bureau said.

Xinhua - Global Time