About 70 books on late Chinese leader Mao Zedong were published this year as millions of Chinese readers' interest in the charismatic figure as a statesman, strategist, writer, poet and calligrapher peaked.

A total of 67 books on Mao have been selected by the State Administration of News and Publishing to mark the 110th birth anniversary, which falls on Dec. 26, 2003, according to official newspaper Sciences Times, which is published by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Xi'dan Book Center, one of the biggest book outlets in Beijing, devoted a special counter to over 50 different books on Mao Zedong, many of which have become bestsellers.

The authors of the books include Mao's daughter and grandson, former personal doctors and bodyguards, researchers, poets and other experts or artists.

Mao Xinyu, grandson of Mao, has drawn nationwide attention as author of a newly published book on Mao as a grandfather. The author has also published another book that tells of the life of the great leader.

Li Min, daughter of Mao Zedong and He Zizhen, the second wife of the late leader, also told her stories of the leader and her mother in a book titled "My Childhood and Father".

The book "The Days on the Side of Great Man" was written by Wang Hebing, who was Mao's personal doctor. Two different books were also published on Mao's health and diet.

The People's Publishing House produced 18 different books in two series on Mao. The first series involving 6 books deals with Mao Zedong's political ideas and philosophy.

The other series offers a comprehensive and subtle review of major historical events Mao experienced, such as "Records of meetings between Mao Zedong and Stalin and Khrushchev", "Mao Zedong & China's Major Events", and "Mao Zedong & Chinese Culture".

The book "Mao Zedong's Emotional World" contains about 130 stories on Mao's friendship, his love for his family, the people and soldiers.

The biggest series devoted to Mao is titled "Great Man Mao Zedong", which contains 12 million Chinese characters. It was published by The Publishing House of Central University for Nationalities.

Also published were a dozen books on Mao's poems and calligraphy and an album featuring 1,800 pictures of Mao.

Six books were published by different publishers on Mao Zedong as a great military strategist.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held a seminar at the Great Hall of the People Friday, marking the110th anniversary.

Chinese President Hu Jintao attended the seminar. Prior to the event, Hu, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, visited the mausoleum where Mao's embalmed body is on public display.
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2003)