Today (Nov. 12) marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a great pioneer of China's democratic revolution who devoted his life to national independence, prosperity and the well-being of the people. His ideas and legacy continue to inspire generations.
As a fifth-generation descendant of Sun Yat-sen's family, Kevin Sun Wei-yung, his great-great-grandnephew, told DotDotNews in an interview that stories passed down by his elders had given him a personal understanding of the revolutionary leader. To him, Sun was not merely a historical figure, but also an elder who cared deeply for ordinary people and was willing to make sacrifices for the greater good of the nation.
He said the most important responsibility of his descendants was to carry forward Sun's aspirations for national rejuvenation and reunification.
Born on Nov. 12, 1866, in Cuiheng village in Xiangshan county, Guangdong province (now Zhongshan), Sun Yat-sen studied in Hawaii in his early years before returning to Hong Kong for further education. From his studies and medical training to his encounters with like-minded revolutionaries, HK played a significant role in shaping his ideas and revolutionary career.
Recalling the stories he heard growing up, Kevin Sun said they offered a glimpse of Sun Yat-sen beyond the accounts found in history books.
"The stories passed down in my family focus less on spectacular events and more on his character. He put public interests above everything else and never abandoned his mission to save the nation despite repeated setbacks. He was always concerned about his fellow countrymen suffering in hardship," he said.
These family memories, he added, had taught him that what sustained Sun Yat-sen throughout his life was his profound love for the Chinese nation. They also served as a constant reminder of his responsibility to carry on his ancestor's ideals.
HK shaped revolutionary ideals, turning doctor towards national salvation
Sun Yat-sen had deep ties with HK. In 1883, he came to the city to study, first attending the Diocesan Home and Orphanage (now Diocesan Boys' School) and later the Central School (now Queen's College). He subsequently studied medicine at the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese.
During his time in HK, he was exposed to Western knowledge and new ideas. He also forged close ties with like-minded figures, including Chen Shaobai, You Lie and Yang Heling, with whom he discussed China's future and gradually developed his revolutionary thinking and network.
Kevin Sun described HK as fertile ground for the emergence and development of Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary ideas.
He said that while studying and practising medicine in HK, Sun broadened his horizons through exposure to modern knowledge and brought together a group of patriotic figures who would form part of the early revolutionary movement. The city's unique social environment at the time also gave him opportunities to reflect on ways to save China and gradually develop a systematic revolutionary vision.
"It was right here that this compassionate doctor set out on his journey towards the great goal of rejuvenating China," Sun said, adding that HK was not only an important place in Sun Yat-sen's personal development, but also an indispensable starting point in his revolutionary career.
'The world belongs to all' remains relevant as youth urged to link personal goals with national development
Sun Yat-sen's ideals, including the principle of "the world belongs to all", continue to hold relevance today.
Kevin Sun said the essence of the principle was to put the interests of the public first and serve the people, adding that it offered important lessons for HK's development.
As a city backed by the motherland and connected to the world, HK could sustain its prosperity and stability only by upholding patriotism, integrating into the country's overall development, safeguarding social fairness and addressing people's livelihood concerns, he said.
He stressed that carrying forward Sun Yat-sen's spirit should go beyond slogans. Young people should take the initiative to learn about history and understand their national roots, while equipping themselves with the knowledge and skills needed to seize opportunities arising from the country's development.
They should also align their personal aspirations with the development of HK and the nation, translating their understanding of Sun Yat-sen's ideals into concrete action, he said.
Youth exchanges seen as key to fostering cross-strait understanding and peaceful development
Sun Yat-sen devoted his life to the cause of national reunification. Speaking about cross-strait relations, Kevin Sun said people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait shared the same roots and that promoting exchanges and closer ties while safeguarding peace across the strait was an important way to honour Sun's legacy.
He said efforts should focus particularly on young people, encouraging more interactions and mutual understanding to gradually dispel misunderstandings and strengthen bonds.
Looking ahead, he said he would continue to build platforms for cross-strait exchanges, organize study tours and social activities for young people from both sides, and launch programmes centred on Sun Yat-sen's spirit.
He also hoped to invite more young people from Taiwan to visit the Chinese mainland and gain first-hand understanding of the country's development and social landscape.
Through such exchanges, he said, young people from both sides could deepen their understanding of one another and contribute to peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait and the eventual reunification.
(Reported by Zoey SUN, Ian LAU)
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