BEIJING, Dec. 26 -- A large portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong hangs high in the living room of Ai Pa. The 56-year-old, an ethnic Dai villager in Xishuangbanna in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan, likes citing quotations from the founder of new China.

In tales the elderly told during his childhood, Chairman Mao was depicted as an invincible "monkey king," whom heaven bestowed with powers to bring equality and justice to the world.

"It's Chairman Mao who brought the concept 'all men are created equal' to the Dai villages," said Ai, now a village Communist Party chief who still reveres Mao.

For villagers who visit Beijing for the first time, Mao's mausoleum in Tian'anmen Square is a must-see place, Ai said.

The ethnic villagers are not alone in their reverence. Official data show that over 200 million people have paid tribute at Mao's mausoleum since it opened one year after Mao's death in 1976.

Thursday marks the 120th anniversary of Mao's birth. Chinese top leaders including President Xi Jinping visited Mao's mausoleum, making three bows toward Mao's seated statue and paying their respects to the remains of Mao.

At a symposium held by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in Beijing on Thursday, Xi said the CPC will hold high the banner of Mao Zedong Thought "forever" in pursuing the Chinese nation's rejuvenation.

The state-run People's Daily and Xinhua both carried articles commemorating the 120th anniversary of Mao's birth on Thursday. Many places nationwide, including Mao's birthplace and several old revolutionary bases, held activities to remember the late leader.