Mao Zedong's family and descendants still command great media attention at the annual meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Replacing his mother - Mao's daughter-in-law Shao Hua - as a CPPCC delegate, 38-year-old Mao Xinyu was mobbed by reporters yesterday as he attended a CPPCC discussion group for the first time.
Senior Colonel Mao, a researcher at the Academy of Military Science, walked and talked casually.
But he appeared uncomfortable when confronted by dozens of microphones and cameras.
He said improving the military's weaponry was one of his areas of concern. And he emphasised the importance of following principles set down by his grandfather.
'It was a wise decision of Chairman Mao to propel technological development through defence build-up. We should deepen development based on the foundation of current achievements,' he said.