Inspired by Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at a gathering held Thursday in Beijing to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the birth of Sun Yat-sen, one of the nation's revered revolutionary forefathers, Chinese people from different sectors vowed to carry forward Sun's legacy to build an even better China.
Born in 1866, Sun led the Revolution of 1911 more than a century ago to abolish the absolute monarchy that had ruled China for thousands of years. He was also a founding figure of the Kuomintang. Sun died in 1925 and is widely revered by Chinese people as one of the nation's revolutionary forefathers.
At the commemorative event, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that the best way to remember Dr. Sun is to emulate, inherit and carry forward his invaluable spirit, and steadily advance endeavors to build a great country and rejuvenate the nation.
Xi noted that Chinese communists are the most steadfast supporters, loyal collaborators, and faithful successors to the revolutionary cause initiated by Sun. For more than 100 years, the CPC has led the Chinese people in writing the most magnificent chapter in the history of the Chinese nation, Xi said.
Reflecting on the past and looking into the future, Chinese people said they had gained a deeper appreciation of how hard-won China's achievements were, as well as greater confidence and determination to work together for national rejuvenation.
"What moved me most in President Xi's speech was his profound interpretation of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's patriotism and his long-held aspiration for national unity. Dr. Sun Yat-sen devoted his life to two great causes -- revitalizing the Chinese nation and achieving national unity. Today, as we pursue national rejuvenation and the reunification of the motherland, we are carrying forward the unfinished aspirations of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. As a descendant of the Sun family, I will continue to serve as a bridge, unite more compatriots together, and do my part to promote peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait and achieve the complete reunification of the motherland," said Kevin Sun Wei-yung, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) and a descendant of Sun Yat-sen. （
"A century ago, Dr. Sun Yat-sen proposed in the 'General Plan for the Founding of the Nation' to use Qinzhou as a southwestern outlet to shorten shipping routes to the sea. This September, the Pinglu Canal opened to navigation; thus, the century-old dream became reality, on a scale far beyond what could have been imagined at that time. This is the best tribute that builders of the new era can pay to Dr. Sun Yat-sen," said Yan Qiang, director of the technology and information department of the Pinglu Canal Group Co., Ltd.
Highlighting Sun's lifelong devotion to the country, Xi called on all Chinese people to learn from Sun, promote patriotism, and strive for a strong and prosperous China.
The call inspired Chinese people to continue inheriting and carrying forward Sun's invaluable spirit and further advancing Chinese modernization.
"President Xi stressed that the best way for us to remember Dr. Sun is to emulate, inherit and carry forward his invaluable spirit. More than a century ago, Dr. Sun set out from Hong Kong to explore ways to save the country. Today, Hong Kong should make better use of the advantages of One Country, Two Systems, actively integrate its own development into the overall development of the country, and use its strengths to serve the country's needs," said Starry Lee Wai-king, president of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
Xi said Dr. Sun always upheld national unity and ethnic solidarity, and resolutely opposed any word or act that sought to split the country and divide the nation.
Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland is an unwavering historical mission for the CPC, the shared aspiration of all Chinese people, and a natural requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi stressed.
People from across the Strait and overseas Chinese have pledged to work hand in hand for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and the complete reunification of the motherland.
"Reunification and peace across the Taiwan Strait should be achieved. Today, to revisit the spirit of Dr. Sun Yat-sen is to remember that our territory must not be divided. Taiwan is the final piece of the puzzle for national unity. People on the Taiwan Island who support national reunification are eager to carry Dr. Sun's spirit forward in Taiwan. People on both sides of the Strait are Chinese, standing proudly as Chinese," said Yu Chih-pin, deputy secretary-general of the New Party in Taiwan.
"As overseas Chinese, we should serve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the development of our motherland. We should unite and work together to further advance Chinese modernization," said Bao Ronggang, chairman of the San Kiang Charitable Association.
Chinese people pledge to carry forward Sun Yat-sen's spirit for national rejuvenation
Chinese people pledge to carry forward Sun Yat-sen's spirit for national rejuvenation
