A Chinese sculptor from central China's Hunan Province has been chosen to sculpt a stone statue of Martin Luther King, which will be unveiled in the Martin Luther King Square in Washington in 2008.

Lei Yixin, the 53-year-old director of the Hunan Sculpture Institute, received the contract from the Sculpture Committee of the Martin Luther Square (SCMLS) on Sunday, as well as video, photographs and reading materials of the American hero.

"This is a recognition of Chinese sculptors," said the excited Lei, who has worked in sculpting for over 20 years.

The SCMLS approached Lei in July after he had made a 2.3-meter-tall sculpture at the International Stone Sculpture Conference.

Lei has won several prizes in China and his works are on display in Changsha Square.

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2006)