Zedong, China's former communist leader, died in 1976 after declining to give the money to his family, the BBC reported Saturday.

Mao's writings have continued to produce a steady income, especially "Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong", also known as the "Little Red Book," a compilation on subjects such as class struggle and serving the people.

The question of who should inherit the fortune was raised anew in a recently published article in an Chinese Communist Party magazine, the BBC reported.

Jiang Qing, Mao's fourth wife and a loyal supporter, died in 1991 without receiving any of the money, and his three surviving children have received nothing from the royalties.

Communist Party officials believe the money should go to the party because the party made it possible for Mao to early the royalties, the BBC said.