Martyr's grave maintained by family through generations

Tending to tomb has evolved into monthly tradition of respect, honor

Before this year's Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, on Friday, Xie Nanjing methodically cleared away weeds and fallen leaves from a grave in a small village in Ganzhou city, Jiangxi province.

Nestled among green bamboo and cypress trees in Shihan village, the grave belongs to Deng Yigang, a former commander of the Red Army.

After carefully tidying the site, Xie sat in front of the tombstone and said in a hushed tone, "Commander Deng, I've come to visit you again."