At the entrance of the once square kilometer exhibition room, greeting the visitors will be a huge portrait of the father of China's reform and opening up, Deng Xiaoping, walking and waving his right hand, while claiming to be the son of the Chinese people.

All the items at the exhibition, including some 300 photos, books and letters, big-screen documentaries, offices and meeting rooms and even a map of the route he took when seeking studies in France, aim to tell the audience how a great man, both as a leader and a lovely person, was born and dedicated himself to a stronger motherland.

Gong Qing from the National Museum is the chief planner of the exhibition. She says the exhibition will showcase the different historical periods that Deng Xiaoping was involved in, such as when the People's Republic of China was founded and when the country made great efforts to modernize itself.

"Most Chinese are familiar with Deng Xiaoping, especially because they are the beneficiaries of the 20-year-long reform and opening up drive. We want to hold this exhibition on this special occasion to provide people with another chance to get to know him better, his 70-year-long glorious revolutionary life, in which he has made tremendous achievement to China's revolution and modernization. I believe while people are watching the exhibition, they can also be greatly inspired by Deng Xiao Ping."

Having experienced ups and downs in his life, Deng Xiaoping is known best as the chief architect of China's reform and open policies. He was far-sighted and persevering, a man of quick understanding and decisive action. The contributions he made to the revolution, and his courage as an innovator have earned him the trust of the Chinese people.

Zhang Xiong is from Guang'an Deng Xiaoping Memorial Hall of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, the hometown of Deng Xiaoping. He and his colleagues have worked on the documentary that will be shown during the exhibition, which lasts until mid September.

"As I went on and on with preparing the exhibition, my love and respect to him goes deeper and deeper. The more I learn about him, the greater he seems to me. As an individual, I think he is both a great leader and an ordinary man. The closer I am to his life and achievements, the more I admire his great charisma and personality."

(CRI.com August 10, 2004)