BEIJING, June 2 -- The memorial museum for Soong Chingling, known as the "mother of China," has reopened in Shanghai after renovations and many valuable historic pieces are displayed for the first time, a newspaper reported today.

    The new museum displays more than 200 "very precious" historic relics about Soong, half of which are on display to the public for the first time, Xinmin Evening News said.

    Visitors can see Soong's letters to late Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai as well as her passport, the report said.

    The old museum only displayed some pamphlets with photos on it, it said.

    The museum also displayed Soong's credentials, notebook and the video of the speech she gave when she took part in the Asian Pacific Region Peaceful Meeting in 1952, the report said.

    The new museum also plays Soong's favorite songs. Some of her dresses and letters she wrote to friends are also on display to give a glimpse into her daily life, Lu Liuying, curator of the museum, told the newspaper.

    The museum is at No. 1843 Huaihai Road Central. It is open from 9am to 4:30pm. The ticket price is 20 yuan (about 2.50 U.S. dollars) for individuals and 15 yuan per person for groups. The museum's telephone number is 021-6437-6268.

    Visitors will not be allowed to take pictures, an employee of the museum told Shanghai Daily via telephone today.

    The museum is in the former home of Soong and was established in 1997.

    Renovations began in January 2007. The new museum was divided into 10 parts in accord with Soong's lifetime.

    Soong is one of three famous Soong sisters. She married to Dr Sun Yat-sen in 1915, founder of the Republic of China. Her sister Soong Mayling was married to Chiang Kai-shek, leader of the Kuomintang Party in the 1940s.

    Soong Chingling was known for her patriotism and charitable spirit.

　 (Source: Shanghai Daily)