The annual renewal of late Chairman Mao Zedong’s Portrait at Tiananmen Square was completed in the early hours of Thursday to mark the upcoming National Day. / Photo: VCG

Because of the Tiananmen gate's position at the front of the Palace Museum, or the ancient Imperial City, the gate has great political significance. Over the years, portraits of Chinese and world leaders were displayed there. / Photo: VCG

From the founding date of the People's Republic of China, October 1, 1949, a portrait of Mao has been hung at the square. Each year the old portrait is replaced by a new one. / Photo: VCG

There used to be different versions of Mao’s portraits before 1967, but since then the picture has remained the same. It is the largest hand drawing portrait of leaders in Asia. / Photo: VCG