'Red tourism' sites ready for foreign visitors

Red tourism sites have attracted more visitors in recent years and are receiving huge investment from the country.[Photo/Xinhua]

Mao Haofu, 28, has returned from studying in Britain to his hometown in Ciping in East China's Jinggangshan city, which was the first rural revolutionary base established in 1927 by the Communist Party of China (CPC).

He is now an on-site teacher at Jiangxi Executive Leadership Academy. Although most tourists are Chinese, he is prepared to tell the Party's story in English.

He has been influenced by his father and grandfather, both masters of Party history, as well as his colleagues who have devoted themselves to teaching despite poor living conditions.

"I felt a sense of achievement when I saw more foreign officials come to our academy. They were keen to know more about our country," he said.

Kuang Sheng, vice president of the China Executive Leadership Academy of Jinggangshan, said the world is eager to know more about the CPC and the Chinese path and experience, as China offers Chinese wisdom and a Chinese approach to solving problems.

To introduce the former residence of Comrade Mao Zedong, Mao Haofu studied materials in a local museum and the authoritative English versions of the works of Mao Zedong, rather than directly translating the tour guide introduction.

The Jinggangshan Mountains are known as the birthplace of the Chinese Red Army, and the cradle of the Chinese revolution.

Liu Hong, Party chief of Jinggangshan, said that the city is developing an open economy led by tourism. It has been visited by delegates from several foreign countries, including Cuba, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and African countries.

Liu said a leader of an African delegation told him that China's experience in helping people get rid of poverty were worth learning from.