A Chinese garment manufacturer hopes to turn the "Zhongshan zhuang", a tunic suit often worn by China's revolutionary forerunner Sun Yat-sen, into a state cultural heritage.

According to Southern Metropolitan News, the clothing manufacturer hails from Zhongshan city in south China's Guangdong province, hometown of Sun, who led the 1911 Revolution to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and found the Republic of China.

The owner of the company said he will solicit support and apply to have the uniform registered on the state non-material cultural heritage list.

The newspaper did not give his or his company's name, but quoted Jiang Hengjie, deputy director of the China Garment Association, as saying that the company has over 70 years of experience in making "Zhongshan Zhuang".

"Zhongshan Zhuang" or "Zhongshan suit" is a uniform-like tunic with four pockets and a turned-down collar, buttoned down the middle with five buttons.

It looks simple and tasteful and has an air of sedateness and calm.

Sun set a personal example by wearing the tunic suit on various occasions. It is still popular with Chinese leaders and the public.

Sun Yanghai, great grandnephew of Sun Yat-sen, said he will support the clothing maker's move.

Chen Qiaozhang, deputy director of Zhongshan city cultural bureau, said the suit itself is a material product, but its style and manufacturing techniques can be registered as non-material cultural items.

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2006)