Donations from home and abroad for the renovation of the Mausoleum of Huangdi (or the Yellow Emperor), the legendary founder of the Chinese nation, increased by 9 million yuan (about US$1.08 million) at a ceremony held Thursday, bringing the total donation to 70 million yuan.

Renovation of the mausoleum started in 1992. To date, the first- phase project has been completed, while work on the second phase is still under way. The total cost for the two-phase project is expected to be about 200 million yuan.

To raise capital for the project, a foundation was set up in October 1992 to receive donations from both domestic and overseas sources.

At the ceremony, three gold statues of Huangdi were on display, before which many people burned incense.

(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2002)