Editor's note: Zhong Houtao is a research associate at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
November 12 marks the 152nd anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth. The best way to commemorate him is to learn and carry forward his invaluable heritage, especially his political heritage. His most notable contributions are the following political ideologies: put people first, patriotism and national reunification.
Put People First
As the foremost pioneer and first leader of a Republican China, Sun is honored as the "Father of the Nation" in the Republic of China (ROC) before 1949 and the "forerunner of democratic revolution" in the People's Republic of China (PRC) founded in 1949. Throughout his life, Sun cared deeply for the people and their happiness.
With the good of the people rooted in his heart, Sun gradually developed his most famous legacy known as the “Three Principles of the People”: “nationalism” (independence from imperialist domination), “rights of the people” (sometimes translated as “democracy”) and “the people's livelihood” (or “just society”). As for now, we should continue to remain dedicated to people, helping people to improve their standard of living, safeguarding social justice and protecting their rights to equal participation.
A statue of Sun Yat-sen in Naijing, Jiangsu Province, China. /VCG Photo
Patriotism
Although during Sun's life he had many failures, such as the “Guangzhou Uprising” and “Second Revolution” and he was even exiled to Japan and the US for years, he was incredibly attached to his motherland of China and never deviated from the priorities of fostering national unity among Chinese.
Struggling to devote himself to this country, Sun is well known to all Chinese not only as a pioneer of democratic revolution but also as a patriot and a luminary inspired by China's national spirit. All Chinese descendants regardless of their nationality are supposed to follow Sun's footsteps, making contributions to the country.
National Reunification
In the process of exploring the new path of the development of China, Sun Yat-sen fully realized the importance of national integrity, saying that “united, the people of the entire country benefit; disunited, people suffer.”
A statue of Sun Yat-sen at the Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall, Guangzhou, south China. /VCG Photo
Therefore, he strongly opposed any remarks or actions that attempted to split the country. Unfortunately, even now, the two sides across the Taiwan Strait have not fully reunified. What is more, the Democratic Progressive Party, as the ruling Party in Taiwan, has been trying to split Taiwan from China, and this, undoubtedly, causes a great potential disaster for the fundamental national interests of Chinese.
Therefore, the compatriots from both sides across the Taiwan Strait should inherit Sun's spirit to oppose any form of "Taiwan independence." As for how to respond to the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces, President Xi Jinping, at a gathering to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth in Beijing in 2016, made a solemn declaration: “We'll never allow anyone, any organization or political party to rip out any part of our territory at any time or in any form.”
The “Six Anys” show the strong determination, confidence and capability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity and to make sure that the country is never torn apart again.
In his final will, Sun wrote: "The revolution has not yet been successful" and "Comrades still have to work hard." As for now, the best way to commemorate him is not to hold a series of events but to follow his footsteps, to continue his great cause and to realize his ideals of freedom, democracy as well as national reunification.
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