Students in Huai'an in Jiangsu Province chant poesies in front of the memorial hall of China's former premier Zhou Enlai, on January 7, 2008, to mark the 32nd anniversary of his departure. [Photo: Xinhua]

More than 2,000 locals in Huai'an in east China's Jiangsu Province gathered on Monday at the memorial hall of late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai to mark the 32nd anniversary of his departure.

Zhou Enlai, born in 1898 in Huai'an, was one of the core members of the leading group of the Communist Party of China and played a key role in forming the party. He became the country's premier at the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

The premier, who was one of the most popular leaders in China, passed away on January 8, 1976.

(CRI January 8, 2008)