CHINA / National

Lien pays tribute to Sun Yat-sen's cenotaph
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-04-15 16:07

Honorary Chairman Lien Chan of the Taiwan-based Chinese Kuomintang party Saturday morning paid a tribute to a cenotaph of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

The cenotaph containing personal effects of Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), the forerunner of anti-feudalism revolution in China, is located at Biyun Temple on Fragrance Mountain of western Beijing.


Lien Chan (R), former chairman of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang, bows to a statue of Sun Yat-sen, the father of the revolution that toppled China's last emperor in 1911, during a visit at the Biyun Temple in Beijing April 15, 2006. Taiwan opposition politicians and Chinese Communist leaders urged Taipei on Friday to allow regular direct flights and expand trade with China, raising pressure on the island's independence-leaning leader. [Reuters]

Sun passed away on March 12, 1925 and, on April 2, his coffin was temporarily moved into a pagoda in the temple. The pagoda became Dr. Sun's burial site in May 1929 and, afterward his remains was moved to the mausoleum in Nanjing of east China's Jiangsu Province. But his clothes and hats were left behind in the pagoda.

The temple contains Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall, which houses a full-sized white-marble statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

Upon his arrival at the temple in the morning, Lien placed a yellow garland in the names of Lien Chan and all KMT members. Lien and his delegation made three bows in front of the statue.

Then, they were showed around to see Dr. Sun Yat-sen's works.

The Chinese nationality now face the rare opportunity for development and prosperity, and the promotion of economic development, people's welfare, as well as peace, prosperity and mutual benefit across the Taiwan Straits serve Sun's wish, Lien said.

Lien came to Beijing to attend a cross-Straits economic and trade forum.