Barber to Zhou Enlai still cutting hair in Xi'an

(ECNS) -- A neighborhood barbershop in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, has come under a media spotlight as the shop's senior barber once served Zhou Enlai, China's first premier, cnwest.com said on Monday.

Located in a residential community on Qingnian Road, the shop was opened by Chen Youbao, a 79-year-old who served as the exclusive barber for former Chinese leaders 54 years ago.

Several group photos hang on the walls of the shop, in which Chen is standing with various former high-level leaders.

Chen picked out one of the pictures, in which he stands with premier Zhou, and said the picture was shot in October 1961, when the premier attended the 22nd Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

In December 1959, Chen was sent to the Chinese embassy in the former Soviet Union. Chen returned to China in 1963, and started running a private barbershop in 1988.

Even though he was an exclusive barber for central leaders, Chen still charges only eight yuan ($1.30) for a men's haircut.

Asked why he was still working at the age of 79, Chen responded that he has to work to make a living.

"Without employee pension, I receive a monthly pension of only 1,200 yuan, which is not enough to live on," he said.