The violin which Nie'er used to compose China's national anthem. [Photo by Xing Yi, Yang Chengshu, Zheng Shuwen/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The violin which Nie'er used to compose China's national anthem will be restored for a performance in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China.

The violin has never been used since the composer's death in 1935, so audiences are highly anticipating the performance with the instrument, the first in the past 84 years, when it will be used to play the anthem March of the Volunteer, according to Kunming Daily, a local newspaper in Southwest China's Yunnan province, on Thursday.

According to the Yunnan Provincial Museum, which is leading the instrument repairs, it has just launched the restoration and will invite musicians and instrument repair technicians to work out detailed plans.

An expert examines the violin Nie'er used to compose China's national anthem. [Photo by Xing Yi, Yang Chengshu, Zheng Shuwen/For chinadaily.com.cn]