Chinese prez Xi's father's tomb draw visitors to new 'silk road'

Xian: Seeking to re-emerge as the centre of ancient silk route, China’s imperial city Xian is fast becoming a new pilgrimage hub with visitors thronging the tomb of Xi Zhongxun, father of President Xi Jinping. Xi Zhongxun was a former vice premier, who was persecuted during Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, a decade-long socio-political movement between 1966 and 1976, aimed at  enforcing communism in the country. “Bow three times to show respect to the Leader!,” says the guide to the crowd in front of the massive sandstone statue of Xi in this northwestern city. [caption id=“attachment_1667933” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters image[/caption] A liberal leader, Xi Zhongxun, suffered imprisonment and banishment like Deng Xiaoping, the father of modern China under Mao and later rose to become a reformist leader. Xi Zhongxun’s memorial has now acquired a new look and prominence as his son Xi Jinping emerged as the most powerful leader after Deng. He concurrently holds the three most influential posts of President, Chief of the Communist Party and Head of Army to guide the destiny of world’s second largest economy. The Chinese President’s home province Shaanxi and its capital Xian, which was formerly the capital of several Chinese kingdoms, is now poised to get its old glory back as it has been re-designated as the starting point of New Silk Road Economic Belt, his pet project. Xian was stated to be the starting point of the ancient Silk Road some 2000 years ago. Billions of dollars of investment is flowing into the city where China is building a massive inland port. The port is backed by International Trade and Logistic Park in which top global firms including Tata Steel has invested to cash in on the “One Road One Belt” project. The road projects were aimed at connecting China with a maze of silk roads around its borders with the rest of the world as well as a Maritime Silk Road (MSR) connecting various ports in Asia. China is keen for India, which played a prominent part in the ancient Silk route through which Buddhism entered, to join its initiative. Xi is expected to push it in a big way when he visits India next month. Chinese officials say that the master plan for the “One Belt One Road” incorporating all its Silk Roads will be out in about two months. Stated to be the most ambitious project of its kind, the plan includes revival of the ancient Silk Road, starting from Xian and possibly to Constantinople through parts of Pakistan, central Asia and Turkey. The second Silk Road is called the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) and the third one is the revival of the MSR connecting China’s Fujian coast with ports of Asia and the world. Gearing up for the multi-billion venture, Chinese Foreign Ministry has conducted a tour to select diplomats and journalists to showcase the enormous development taking place in Xian. The city, which attracts over two million tourists for its Terracotta Warrior memorial, has a number of designated points of Silk Road including a massive complex featuring the history and cultures of various Silk Road countries including India. The Indian Pavilion stands out with the life size idols of all Hindu deities and restaurants. Xian perhaps is also poised to be the next diplomatic centre after Beijing, as it carved out a new picturesque diplomatic district on the outskirts where China has invited all Silk Road belt countries to open their Consulates. Malaysia, Thailand besides several other countries already expressed their interest to open their missions, Chinese officials said. PTI