The renovation of the mausoleum of Guo Songtao (1818-1891), China's first resident diplomatic commissioner to foreign countries, is underway in Miluo city of central China's Hunan Province.
In 1847, Guo passed the highest imperial examination of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and was chosen as a member of the Imperial Academy. He also served as governor of Guangdong Province and the chief prosecuting attorney of Fujian Province.
In 1876, Guo was sent to Britain as the resident imperial commissioner. He later served as commissioner in France.
An innovative government official, Guo contended that China should learn from western countries, especially with regard to the development of military forces and technology.
Guo died at the age of 74 in 1891 and was buried near Huajiang Village in Shaxi Township in Miluo.
The current renovation work is organized by the Miluo Federation returned overseas Chinese.
(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2003)
