Mao Zedong impersonator Xia Yuhua poses with a tourist wearing a costume in Wuhan, Hubei Province. Photo: IC

Mao Zedong impersonator Xia Yuhua, clad in a Mao suit and sporting the late leader's signature hairstyle, attracts the attention of passersby wherever he goes.

Beside the Yangtze River bridge in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, Xia shows off his spitting-image appearance and offers to take pictures with anyone for a small amount of money. He stands next to a board displaying photos he has taken with tourists and locals alike to drum up business.

Xia, 63, is a retired actor from an opera troupe in which he impersonated Mao. After his wife died and his children went to work in another city, Xia started going to the bridge to mimic Mao every day, weather permitting, to support himself.

This is a spot linked with the "Great Helmsman." Mao wrote a poem for the Yangtze River bridge, glorifying mankind's achievement of conquering big rivers and wrote calligraphy that was carved into the monument that stands beside the bridge.

Some tourists are enthusiastic about posing with Xia, however, he doesn't get many customers every day. He charges 20 yuan ($3.05) for a photo, and on a good day can earn 200 yuan.

Xia can't register his "business" with the local Industrial and Commerce Administration as he has no permanent business address to register. His friends have advised him to be prudent and never argue with clients to avoid trouble with the authorities.

Probably out of respect for the man he mimics, local chengguan urban management officers have chosen to turn a blind eye to his business and allow him to make money on the street.

Global Times

Xia Yuhua is surrounded by curious onlookers. Photo: IC

Xia waves his hand as he impersonates Mao. Photo: IC

Xia checks his camera as a client looks at their photo. Photo: IC

 

A board displays Xia's pictures with tourists and locals. Photo: IC

Newspaper headline: Mimicking Mao