'Red tourism' brings prosperity to villagers
Updated: 2007-11-16 14:01
 Shaoshan today has become one of the country's major "red tourism attractions", a place where many Chinese revolutionists were born, lived or fought. [File photo] |
The situation began to change after people found they made more money by developing tourism in the renowned village than from just doing farm work and raising livestock.
To attract tourists, many locals have linked the name of their restaurants with the late chairman, such as "Mao Family's Restaurant" and "Red Sun Restaurant" ("red sun" refers to Chairman Mao in his time).
Today, private businesses related to tourism earn Shaoshan City, where the village is located, almost 80 percent of its revenue. It receives more than one million tourists annually. This year's revenue is estimated at 520 million yuan (US69 million).
The non-public sector of the economy has become an important part of the country's basic economy and modern market system rather than what people called -- "the residue of capitalist economy" - in the 1970s.
"We need to ... unswervingly encourage, support and guide the development of the non-public sector (of the economy), ensure equal protection of property rights and create a new situation in which all economic sectors compete on an equal footing and reinforce each other," said President Hu Jintao in his report at the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China that was held last month.
Mao Yushi said that the development of the private economy has left Shaoshan a changed village, one that has changed for the better.
"Nobody considers that developing private business would bring shame to Chairman Mao anymore. Instead, they think running prosperous businesses is a good demonstration of loving the country and socialism," he said.
 Shaoshan today has become one of the country's major "red tourism attractions", a place where many Chinese revolutionists were born, lived or fought. [File photo] |
To protect the local economy, the term "Shaoshan Village" was registered at the trademark office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce last month.
"I believe the 'Shaoshan Village' brand will bring us more profits," said Mao.
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