'Red articles' continue to shine in modern era

By CANG WEI/FENG ZHIWEI (China Daily) Updated: 2015-10-01 06:57

Copies of Chairman Mao's quotations, with their limited circulation, are prized collectibles. CAO JIANXIONG/CHINA DAILY

Top 10 most popular 'red' items in China

1. Chairman Mao badges.

More than 150,000 people in China collect Mao memorabilia badges. The ordinary badges range in cost from less than 10 yuan to several hundred yuan, while some rare ones cost more than 10,000 yuan.

2. Old books written by Chairman Mao and other top national leaders.

3. "Cultural revolution" porcelain. Refers to porcelain manufactured during the 1960s and 70s, with themes of the "cultural revolution" (1966-76).

4. Classic oil paintings.

Paintings with Mao's image are the most popular. One of the most famous is Chairman Mao Goes to Anyuan by Liu Chunhua, painted in 1967.

5. Copies of Mao's quotations. There are more than 500 editions of Mao quotations, both in Chinese and foreign languages.

6. Classic literary works.

Refers to the first and illustrated editions of classic books about how the New China was founded－such as Red Rock by Luo Guangbin and Yang Yiyan, Red Sun by Wu Qiang and Keep the Red Flag Flying by Liang Bin.

7. "Red" comic books with themes related to the formation of the New China.

8. Old "red" photos.

9. Special publications related to National Day, especially those published before 1974.

10. Comic books related to the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45).