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)