BEIJING: Fast-food chain KFC is memorialising a popular Chinese Communist hero with restaurant decor extolling his deeds, in a rare matching of an iconic American brand with Communist propaganda.

The official Xinhua News Agency said the company launched its first `Lei Feng Spirit` restaurant in Lei`s home province of Hunan on Sunday, ahead of Tuesday`s official remembrance day for the soldier who died in 1962 at the age of 21.

Lei`s example of selfless service to the Communist Party and his comrades was popularised in 1963 by former leader Mao Zedong and remains a rallying point for party unity and public service. Critics question the facts surrounding his alleged good deeds, saying most were based on accounts in a diary reportedly found after his death.

The KFC restaurant in the provincial capital of Changsha is decorated with Lei`s writings and image. The company did not imme-diately respond to requests for comment.

`Lei Feng has been the role model for generations of Chinese. As the KFC (outlet) in his hometown, we will spare no effort to promote his spirit,` He Min, general manager for KFC`s Hunan region, was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

In addition to opening the themed restaurant, KFC plans to `promote the Lei Feng spirit in its over 250 outlets in the province and encourage its staff to learn from the role model,` Xinhua said.

Lei Feng day is marl(e d annually by acts of public service such as clearing garbage and visiting the elderly. Communist leaders revived his memory more than a decade ago to stir support for the party among the younger generation born after the abandonment of orthodox Marxism in the 1980s and the crushing of pro-democracy protests centered on Beijing`s Tiananmen Square in 1989.-AP