"Mao Zedong, my grandfather, is the one I worship most, while those I respect most include Mao Anying, my uncle, and Yang Kaihui and He Zizhen, my grandmothers," said the young Mao, "I'll have to spend my life writing stories about these relatives and martyrs from the family."

Xinyu, 31, is the son of Mao Anqing (1923-), the second son of Mao Zedong.

The young man is now studying for his doctorate in the Chinese Academy of Military Science. So far, he has published a collection of theses on Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and a book titled Five Best-Known Chinese Emperors in the Eye of Mao Zedong.

His first book on family is about his uncle Mao Anying, the elder brother of his father.

Recently, Xinyu appeared in Changsha, the capital of the family's home province, Hunan, to promote My Uncle Mao Anying in a local bookstore and gave his autograph to local readers.

Mao Anying (1922-1950) was killed in the US bombardments shortly after he joined the Korea War (1950-53) as a member of the Chinese People's Volunteers who fought together with the People's Army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea against the US-led invading troops.

His next family book will be about his grandmother, Yang Kaihui (1901-31), the first wife of Mao Zedong, who was executed by the Kuomintang Regime.

"I've got lots of first-hand materials," said Xinyu, "I believe my family stories could reflect in a sense the ups and downs in the modern history of China."

(People's Daily 04/04/2001)