China commemorates 150th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth

BEIJING -- Officials and residents in many parts of China gathered Saturday to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth.

Born in 1866, Sun is the forerunner of China's democratic revolution and an instrumental player in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and ending feudalism in China.

In Zhongshan City in south China's Guangdong Province, his birthplace, more than 300 people, including relatives of Sun and his followers and many from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, gathered at Sun's former home to pay their tributes.

They presented flowers and bowed three times before Sun's statue.

In Guangdong provincial capital Guangzhou, senior officials and representatives of the public gathered at the Sun Yat-sen memorial hall to commemorate Sun.

Guangdong's Party chief Hu Chunhua said in his speech that people in Guangdong are proud that such a great man was born here and the great spirit of Sun will encourage local people to move forward.

Hu and other senior officials laid flowers in front of a statue of Sun.

In Shanghai, local authorities held a conference to commemorate Sun.

In his address to the gathering, Shanghai's Party chief Han Zheng called local officials to inherit Sun's precious spiritual heritage and push forward the reform, opening-up and modernization drive.

Shanghai should take the lead in terms of reform and innovation, Han said.

Local officials and residents also gathered at Sun's former home in Shanghai and bowed three times to pay respects.

In Nanjing, nearly 200 officials and residents visited Sun's mausoleum to pay their tribute.

"The Communist Party of China shared the same dream of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Sun," said Yu Weigang, a professor with East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai.

"We have made great leap forwards in the infrastructures, people's living standard and the country's international status," said Yu. "But we should never forget our dream and gather greater courage to move forward."

In Taiwan, Hung Hsiu-chu, chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT) Party unveiled a special exhibition marking the 150th anniversary at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei.

Events were also organized in Hong Kong and Macao to commemorate Sun's birthday anniversary.