Part 1: Dr Sun Yat-sen and Hong Kong
“The revolutionary ideas were originated in Hong Kong” (“The Birth of Revolutionary Ideas” - Dr Sun Yat-sen)
| (1) | Signing of the Nanjing Treaty drawing |
After the Opium War in 1840, the British government forced the Qing Government to sign the “Nanjing Treaty” to cede Hong Kong, which was located in Baoan district in Guangdong, to Britain whereas Guangzhou was set up as a trading port. Seaside regions such as Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Xiangshan (which included Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macau etc. by then) marked the beginning of the transformation of modern China. The picture features the drawing of the signing of the “Nanjing Treaty” at the HMS Cornwallis by the Chinese and British representatives in Nanjing.
| (2) | Hong Kong in around 1870s |
The British colonial government launched the free port policy after colonising Hong Kong. The city gradually developed to be a renowned international trading port in the Far East Region. The picture shows Central, Hong Kong, in around 1870s.
| (3) | Hong Kong, Macau and Baiyun Car Ferry in Guangzhou |
Hong Kong and Macau have been playing a unique role in bringing the world and the revolutionary mind set to modern China. Guangdong, the province city of Guangzhou, was a political centre in southern China and also an important city for foreign trade. Commuting between Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou was easy. The picture was taken in 1863 featuring the Baiyun Car Ferry which travelled between Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou.
| (4) | Southern Side of the Cuiheng Village |
Cuiheng Village in Xiangshan County, Guangzhou, was close to Macau and Hong Kong. It was built in Jiajing Era in Ming Dynasty. Villagers were mainly farmers for generations, some of them also moved out to work in other places. The Jinxingmen in the surrounding area allowed the docking of external ferries, which resulted in the introduction of the western culture. Many villagers sought to work overseas. Dr Sun Yat-sen was born in this village on 12 November, 1866. The picture showed the southern side of the Cuiheng Village during the period of the Republic of China.
| (5) | Drawing of Sun Da-cheng |
A drawing of Dr Sun Yat-sen’s father, Sun Da-cheng (1813-1888). He went to Macau to be a shoemaker at the age of 16 and then returned to the village to become a farmer at 32. He married the daughter of Yeng Sheng-hui from Yakao Village, which was close to the Cuiheng Village, in 1846 and gave birth to three boys and three daughters. The farming family lived in poverty. Dr Sun took a part time job as a night watchman to support the family.
| (6) | Drawing of Madam Yang |
Madam Yang, Mother of Dr Sun Yat-sen (1828 – 1910)
| (7) | Location where Dr Sun Yat-sen heard the stories |
Dr Sun Yat-sen always loved hearing stories of the Hong Xiu-quan and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom from an old villager Fung under a giant banyan tree in front of his house. The Taiping Rebellion against the Qing Dynasty, which lasted for more than a decade, had imposed a certain level of impact to Dr Sun Yat-sen in his childhood. A bronze sculpture namely “Root” created by famous sculptor Cao Chong-xin was set up in the location to commemorate.
| (8) | Portrait of Sun Mei |
Sun Mei (1854-1915), the big brother of Dr Sun Yat-sen, who joined his uncle Yang Li-wen to work in Honolulu (i.e. Hawaii, USA) in 1871. He started working as an employee and later on established his own business to run a ranch and shops. He gradually became a famous farm owner in the city. The financial situation of the Sun’s family then gradually improved. In 1879, Dr Sun joined his mother to reunite with his brother Sun Mei in Honolulu.
| (9) | Dr Sun Yat-sen at the Age of 17 |
Dr Sun Yat-sen received western education in Iolani School and Oahu College during his times in Honolulu. This was an important starting point for Dr Sun to be an intellect with global knowledge. In the summer of 1883, Dr Sun finished his school in Honolulu and came back to his home town Cuiheng Village. He was ignored by villagers for his advice to stop worshipping the statues in the temple. Dr Sun was then forced to leave Cuiheng Village to pursue education in Hong Kong. The pictures show Dr Sun’s portrait at the age of 17 and the old image of the Beiji Temple which was built during the reign of Emperor Kang Xi, Qing Dynasty.
| (10) | Hong Kong Diocesan Boys’ School |
Dr Sun Yat-sen studied at the Diocesan Boys’ School at Bonham Road, Hong Kong, in November 1883. The picture shows the image of the Diocesan Boys’ School.
| (11) | The Government Central School in Hong Kong |
Dr Sun Yat-sen transferred to study at The Government Central School in Hong Kong on 15 April, 1884. The school was established in 1862 as the first government secondary school. The picture shows the image of the school in 1864. After graduating from The Government Central School, Dr Sun started studying medicine at the South China Medical College of the Pok Tsai Hospital in Guangzhou in autumn of 1886.
| (12) | The Hong Kong College of Medicines for Chinese |
Dr Sun Yat-sen transferred to study at The Hong Kong College of Medicines for Chinese in October 1887. The College was established in October 1887, which was the first academic institution of higher education in Hong Kong. It also marked the beginning of modern medical education in China.
| (13) | The top worn by Dr Sun Yat-sent at The Hong Kong College of Medicines for Chinese |
The top worn by Dr Sun Yat-sent at The Hong Kong College of Medicines for Chinese with marking of the abbreviation of his childhood name in Chinese “Ti Chang” and in English “S.T.C” (Sun Ti-chang).
| (14) | Recount of reasons for studying medicine in Hong Kong by Dr Sun Yat-sen |
Dr Sun Yat-sen explained his reasons for studying medicine in Hong Kong in his hand writing in “The International Development of China”. The academic journey in Hong Kong had inspired Dr Sun in revolutionising the Chinese society. (“Inscription by Dr Sun Yat-sen”)
| (15) | Photo of Dr Sun Yat-sen and his classmates in Hong Kong |
This is a photo of Dr Sun Yat-sen and his classmates from The Hong Kong College of Medicines for Chinese. Liu Si-fu, Dr Sun Yat-sen, Kwan King-leung, Jiang Yin-hua (starting from right, front roll), Chen Qiong-shi, Wang Ze-min, Huang Yi-yi, Wang Yi-nuo and Wang Jiu-gao (starting from right, second roll) (Page 17 of “Nan Yang Pi Li Hua Wuao Ge Ming Shi Ji”).
| (16) | The Record of the Assessment Authority of The Hong Kong College of Medicines for Chinese |
Dr Sun Yat-sen managed to rank the top of the list in the examinations of Anatomy and Physiology after a year of studying the basic courses in The Hong Kong College of Medicines for Chinese. The picture shows the record prepared by the Assessment Authority of The Hong Kong College of Medicines for Chinese on the examination papers and students’ academic results in the subjects of Anatomy and Physiology.
| (17) | Academic Record of Dr Sun Yat-sen |
Dr Sun Yat-sen graduated with an outstanding academic result in The Hong Kong College of Medicines for Chinese in July 1892. The picture shows the academic record with Dr Sun’s record listed on the 3rd roll. “H” means honor, “P” means pass.
| (18) | Copy of Graduation Certificate of Dr Sun Yat-sen |
Dr Sun Yat-sen was presented the graduation certificate by Dr James Cantline, Registrar of The Hong Kong College of Medicines for Chinese, in July 1892. It stated that Dr Sun “managed to acquire diversified medical knowledge in the areas of internal medicine, surgery, gynaecology and obstetrics as well as paediatrics after five years of study and trainings in the College”. In September, Dr Sun took up the post as the first voluntary doctor in the newly established West Medicine Department of the Kiang Wu Hospital in Macau. He became the first Chinese doctor to practice Western medicine in Macau.
| (19) | The Chinese Mail |
The first issue of “The Chinese Mail” was published in 1872. In 1874, “The Universal Circulating Herald” was founded by Wang Tao, which called for reformist movement. The development of new form of education and media had nurtured a new generation of Chinese intellects like Dr Sun Yat-sen, who became the leading figure in the revolutionary movement in Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau.
| (20) | Hao Tao Monthly Journal |
Dr Sun wrote a letter to a retired official from Xiangshan, Zheng Zao-yu, to propose his ideas on the problem of the agricultural development, social improvement and talent nurturing. The letter was published in 1892 with title “Letter to Zheng Zao-yu” in the newspaper in Macau. The picture shows the article “Letter to Zheng Zao-yu” published in the “Hao Tao Monthly Journal”.
| (21) | Photo of the “Four Great Outlaws” |
Dr Sun Yat-sen recalled, “After transferring to the medical school in Hong Kong, I met three revolutionary comrades, Yau, Chan and Yeung in a year or two. We shared the same visions and always made stunning and appealing speeches during the leisure times…. We lived, slept and went out together; we had stronger ties than with our siblings.” Gathering at “Yeung Yiu Kee”, the shop opened by the father of Yeung Hok-ling at Gough Street in Hong Kong, they criticised the authority and promoted disregarding the imperial rule. They were called the “Four Great Outlaws”. The picture shows a group photo taken by Dr Sun Yat-sen (2nd from the left), Yeung Hok-ling (1st from the left), Chan Siu-pak (3rd from the left) and Yau Lit (4th from the left). The one standing behind was their classmate Guan Xin-yan.
| (22) | Cheng Kuan-ying |
In the late 1800s, when Dr Sun Yat-sen was still studying in Hong Kong, he always discussed politics and ways to save the country and people with Cheng Kuan-ying, a neighbour living in the Cheng Mansion in Macau. Cheng Kuan-ying (1842-1921), was born in Xiangshan County in Guangdong (now as Zhongshan). He had been a businessman and also a famous ideologist in modern China. His publication “Words of Warning to a Prosperous Age” had imposed grave impact at that time and later on. The picture shows Cheng Kuan-ying and an article written by Dr Sun Yat-sen “Nong Gong”, which was then edited by Cheng and printed in his publication “Words of Warning to a Prosperous Age”.
| (23) | Notice on “Anglo-Chinese Daily” |
Dr Sun Yat-sen opened a Chinese and Western Medicine pharmacy with a clinic in Xianji, Guangxi, Guangzhou in autumn 1893. The pictures show the old street image of Xianji and an opening notice published in the “Anglo-Chinese Daily”. Dr Sun devoted more time to political activities since then; he said “I only spent 10-20% of time practising medicine and 70-80% of that on revolutionary matters”.
| (24) | Venue of Xingzhonghui (The Revive China Society) in Honolulu |
In November 1894, Dr Sun Yat-sen initiated the establishment of the first democratic revolutionary group in the Chinese history, Xingzhonghui, among the Chinese people in Honolulu. The oath sworn by members admitting to the society showed their advocacy of ending the Qing dynasty and establishing a republican government for the first time. The picture shows the home of Li Chong, where they swore their oath after the first meeting.
| (25) | Qianheng Company – Xingzhonghui in Hong Kong |
Dr Sun Yat-sen arrived in Hong Kong from Honolulu in February 1895. He started gathering Lu Hao-dong, Chan Siu-pak, Zheng Shi-liang, Yeung Ku-wan , Tse Tsan-tai etc. to establish the Xingzhonghui in Hong Kong under the guise of running a “Qianheng Company” at 13 Staunton Street in Central, Hong Kong. The picture shows the original site of the “Qianheng Company”.
| (26) | Lu Hao-dong |
The first uprising was organised by Dr Sun Yat-sen on 26 October, 1895 in Guangzhou (Chong Yang Festival). Owing to the leakage of information by a traitor, the uprising was supressed by the Qing government at the beginning stage. Lu Hao-dong was arrested while he was destroying the members’ records. He did not step down despite severe torture. He passed away on 7 November, 1895 and was named as the first martyr of the Revolution by Dr Sun Yat-sen.
| (27) | A postcard with the party flag drawn by Dr Sun Yat-sen |
The flag with blue sky and white sun designed by Lu Hao-dong for the Guangzhou uprising was later used by the Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party) as the party flag and mark as well as the national flag of the Republic of China. The picture shows the image of the party flag drawn by Dr Sun Yat-sen on a postcard and the design details.
| (28) | The First Banishment Order served on Dr Sun Yat-sen by the British Hong Kong Government in 1896 |
Under the request of the Qing Dynasty, Dr Sun Yat-sen had been expelled by the British Hong Kong Government for many times. The picture shows the first Banishment Order issued on 4 March, 1896 by the British Hong Kong Government to ban Dr Sun from entering Hong Kong in five years. Two more orders were also issued in 1902 and 1908 to prevent Dr Sun from moving around in Hong Kong.
| (29) | Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau Ferry Terminal |
Although Dr Sun Yat-sen did not manage to go onshore, he successfully made use of the extensive shipping network and the short docking interval of the ships in Hong Kong waters to meet with party members on board. The operations of the China Daily, the official newspaper for the revolutionary organisations, and the Hong Kong and Southern China branches of the Tongmenghui (Chinese Revolutionary Alliance) were then able to run smoothly. The picture shows the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau Ferry Terminal in Hong Kong Island in the end of the 19th Century.
| (30) | Rescue of Dr Sun Yat-sen from the Embassy of the Qing Government in the United Kingdom |
Dr Sun Yat-sen was kidnapped by people from the Embassy of the Qing Government in London, United Kingdom, on 11 October, 1896. They attempted to send him back to China to kill him. Dr Sun was rescued by others including his teacher James Cantline. The incident was later named as the famous event “Kidnapped in London”. The picture shows the scene of the rescue of Dr Sun from the Embassy of the Qing Government in the United Kingdom.
| (31) | James Cantline |
James Cantline, 1851-1926, British. He was the Registrar of The Hong Kong College of Medicines for Chinese in 1889-1896. He did all he could to rescue Dr Sun Yat-sen when he heard of his kidnapping by the Embassy of the Qing Government in the United Kingdrom on 17 October, 1896.
| (32) | “China Daily” was firstly published in Hong Kong |
Dr Sun Yat-sen commissioned Chan Siu-bak to run a newspaper in Hong Kong to step up the promotion of the revolutionary messages in autumn 1899. The newspaper “China Daily” was firstly published in Hong Kong on 25 January, 1900. It was the founding newspaper published by the revolutionary party during the period of the 1911 Revolution (Xinhai Revolution). It was named the “founder” in advocating Chinese revolution. The pictures show the current image of the original location of the “China Daily” at Stanley Street, Hong Kong and the image of the newspaper.
| (33) | Original location of Huizhou Uprising |
In July 1900, Dr Sun Yat-sen entered the Hong Kong waters to have secret discussion with party members regarding an uprising in Huizhou. In October, Dr Sun commissioned people like Zheng Shi-liang to stage an armed uprising at Sanzhoutian, Huizhou. The picture shows the original location.
| (34) | “Final Protocol for the Settlement of the Disturbances of 1900” |
The signing of the “Final Protocol for the Settlement of the Disturbances of 1900” was devastating to people in China. China was then turned to be half colonised and half feudal society. The Qing Government became a puppet under the ruling of imperialism.
| (35) | Japanese ship “Yawata-Maru” |
Dr Sun Yat-sen took Japanese ship “Yawata-Maru” on 28 January, 1902 to arrive in Hong Kong secretly to to meet with fellow revolutionaries and deal with the aftermath of the previous year’s assassination of Yang Qu-wan (Yeung Ku-wan), ex-President of the Xingzhonghui.
| (36) | A map designed by Tse Tsan-tai showcasing the current situation in the Far East |
The Guangzhou Uprising in 1903, which was secretly organised by Tse Tsan-tai, a comrade of the Xingzhonghui, failed because of snitching. The picture shows the map designed by Tse Tsan-tai showcasing the existing situation in the Far East and the critical crisis faced in China because of the carving up of China by the imperial powers.
| (37) | Dr Sun Yat-sen in 1905 |
The Tongmenghui (Chinese Revolutionary Alliance) was founded in Tokyo, Japan on 20 August, 1905. Dr Sun Yat-sen was elected to be the President. The picture shows the image of Dr Sun in 1905 and his handwritten oath of the Alliance “To expel the northern barbarians and to revive Zhonghua, to establish a republic, and to distribute land equally among the people.”.
| (38) | The Draft of the General Chapter of Tongmenghui |
The picture shows the image of the draft of the General Chapter of Tongmenghui.
| (39) | Chan Siu-bak, President the Hong Kong Branch of the Tongmenghui |
The Hong Kong branch of the Tongmenghui was established in 1905 with Chan Siu-bak as the President. The picture shows the portrait of Chan Siu-bak.
| (40) | “Min Bao” and the publication message |
The Tongmenghui published “Min Bao” for the first time as the Alliance’s organ in November 1905. Dr Sun Yat-sen prepared the publication message and he put forward the league’s principles of “Nationalism, Democracy and the People’s Livelihood”. It was Dr Sun’s first advocacy of his “Three Principles of the People” in a systematic way.
| (41) | The Oath Taking Rally prior to the Huanggang Uprising in 1907 |
An oath taking rally was staged before the Huanggang Uprising in Chaozhou in 1907. It was the first uprising led by Dr Sun Yat-sen after the establishment of the Tongmenghui.
| (42) | The original site of the Southern branch of the Tongmenghui |
The Southern branch of the Tongmenghui was established in Hong Kong in 1909 to organise the Guangzhou Uprising. The office was set up at Bowrington Road in Wan Chai. The picture shows the image of Bowrington Road, Wan Chai, in the early 20th Century.
| (43) | Huang Xing |
On 12 January 1911, Huang Xing was commissioned by Dr Sun Yat-sen to found a coordination department for the revolutionary army at the 35 Happy Valley, Hong Kong and to plan for the Huanghuakang Uprising (The Second Guangzhou Uprising). The picture shows the portrait of Huang Xing.
| (44) | Mausoleum of the 72 Martyrs at Huanghuakang and Inscription by Dr Sun Yat-sen |
The picture shows the mausoleum of the 72 martyrs, who died at the Uprising on 29 March in Guangzhou, located at Huanghuakang. 31 of the martyrs were overseas Chinese. Dr Sun wrote an inscription “Hao Qi Chang Cun”, meaning a noble spirit that will never perish, for the mausoleum in 1921.
| (45) | The ten uprisings against the Qing Government led by Dr Sun Yat-sen before the Wuchang Uprising |
| 1 | October 1895, Guangzhou Uprising, Dr Sun Yat-sen as the major commander |
| 2 | October 1900, Sanzhoutian Uprising, Huizhou, Zheng Shi-liang as the major commander |
| 3 | May 1907, Huanggang Uprising, Chaozhou, Chen Chong-bo and Yu Ji-cheng as the major commanders |
| 4 | June 1907, Qinuhu (Seven-Lady lake) Uprising, Huizhou, Deng Zi-yu as the major commander |
| 5 | September 1907, Fangcheng Uprising, Qinlian, Wang He-shun as the major commander |
| 6 | December 1907, Zhennanguan Uprising, Huang Ming-tang as the major commander |
| 7 | March 1908, Shangsi Uprising, Qinlian, Huang Xing as the major commander |
| 8 | April 1908, Hekou Uprising, Yunnan, Huang Ming-tang, Wang He-shun and Guang Ren-fu as the major commanders |
| 9 | February 1910, Mutiny by Qing Government’s New Army, Guangzhou, Ni Ying-dian as the major commander |
| 10 | April 1911, Huanghuagang Uprising, Huang Xing as the major commander |
| (46) | Original site of the secret commanding office of the Wuchang Uprising |
Revolutionaries in Hubai prepared to stage an uprising in Wuchang in October 1911 when the Qing Government was busy deploying troops to supress the Sichuan Railway Protection Movement. The outbreak of the uprising on 10 October kicked off the national democratic revolution in modern China and constituted to the breakdown of the Qing’s imperial ruling. The picture shows the image of 85 Xiaochao Street, Wuchang, the original site of the secret commanding office of the Uprising.
| (47) | Close up shot of Hubei Military Governor’s Mansion |
The day after the victory of the Wuchang Uprising on 11 October, revolutionaries in Hubei set up the Republic of China Hubei Army Governor’s Mansion (Hubei Military Government) at the former building of the Hubei Advisory Board and announced its independence from the ruling of the Qing Government. The picture shows the close up shot of the Mansion. It is now a memorial hall. The inscriptions of “Original Site of Wuchang Uprising Military Government” and “Memorial Hall of the Wuchang Uprising at the 1911 Revolution” were written by Madam Soong Ching-ling.
| (48) | “The Proclamation to the World” drafted by Dr Sun Yat-sen in London after the Wuchang Uprising |
Dr Sun Yat-sen was so excited to hear the news of the outbreak of the Wuchang Uprising during his fundraising trip in the United States. He decided to dedicate more time in diplomatic actions and started his diplomatic activities in the United Kingdom and France. This was “The Proclamation to the World” drafted by Dr Sun Yat-sen in London in November 1911.
| (49) | The group photo shot of Dr Sun Yat-sen and his friends in Hong Kong in 1911 |
After the Wuchang Uprising, Dr Sun Yat-sen left the United States and came back to China via Europe. On 21 December 1911, Dr Sun Yat-sen had a stopover in Hong Kong and took a picture with revolutionaries including Hu Han-min (3rd from the left, front roll) and Chan Siu-bak (5th from the left, front roll) on board.
| (50) | Dr Sun Yat-sen as the Provisional President |
In October 1911, the Wuchang Uprising received active support from revolutionaries all over China. The Qing Dynasty was crashed. On 29 December, 1911 in Nanjing, Dr Sun Yat-sen was elected as the first Provisional President of the Republic of China by representatives from the 17 provinces. The picture shows the portrait of Dr Sun Yat-sen as the Provisional President.
| (51) | Oath of the Provisional President of the Republic of China |
| (52) | A Letter written by an Alumnus of the Hong Kong Government Central School to Dr Sun Yat-sen (English) |
Wu Ji-yao, an alumnus of the Hong Kong Government Central School, wrote a letter to Dr Sun Yat-sen on 7 January, 1912, to congratulate him on the establishment of the Republic of China.
| (53) | Imperial Edict of the Abdication of the Qing Emperor |
The Qing Emperor was forced to abdicate his throne on 12 February, 1912, which ended of the rule of China by the Qing Dynasty for more than 260 years and also marked the termination of the absolute monarchy that had lasted for more than 2,000 years in China. The picture shows the Imperial Edict of the Abdication of the Qing Emperor.
| (54) | Resignation Letter to the Senate by the Provisional President |
Dr Sun Yat-sen submitted his resignation as the Provisional President to the Nanjing Provisional Senate on 13 February, 1912 for better development of the republic, ending dictatorship and seeking of national wellbeing. The letter proposed the establishment of the provisional government in Nanjing and listed out conditions like the absolute obedience to the provisional constitution by the new President.
| (55) | Provisional Constitution of the Republic of China |
Dr Sun Yat-sen promulgated the “Provisional Constitution of the Republic of China”, which had the nature of a bourgeois republic constitution, on 11 March, 1912.
| (56) | Invitation letter from the University of Hong Kong to Dr Sun Yat-sen (English) |
The University of Hong Kong was officially established in 1911 with inclusion of the Faculty of Medicine as the first faculty of the University. The picture shows the invitation letter to Dr Sun Yat-sen for the Opening Ceremony of the University in early March 1912.
| (57) | Dr Sun Yat-sen’s message against the recommendation of his brother as the Governor |
People from Guangdong, including Long Ji-guang, wrote a letter to Dr Sun Yat-sen to recommend his brother Sun Mei to be the Governor of Guangdong on 1 March, 1912. Dr Sun replied by stating that Sun Mei “was too righteous and was not suitable to be a politician”. He opposed to the suggestion of him to be the Governor.
| (58) | Dr Sun Yat-sen’s photo with military personnel after his resignation from the position of Provisional President |
Dr Sun Yat-sen took a picture with military personnel at the Provisional Senate on 1 April, 1912 after his resignation from the position of Provisional President.
| (59) | A map showcasing the expedition trips of Dr Sun Yat-sen in different parts of the country |
After resigning from the role as the Provisional President, Dr Sun Yat-sen travelled around the majority part of China in more than 6 months. He visited the places himself and delivered speeches on social revolution to promote “People’s Livelihood”. He also called for the starting of business and the unity between the military and its people to build a new and strong democratic China.
| (60) | A picture of Dr Sun Yat-sen and Claud Severn, Acting Governor of Hong Kong |
Dr Sun Yat-sen visited Hong Kong on 14 May, 1912 and had an unofficial and private meeting with Claud Severn, Acting Governor of Hong Kong, on 20 May. Dr Sun Yat-sen (on the right, front roll) took a picture with Claud Severn (on the left, front roll), Acting Colonial Secretary Sir Cecil Clementi (1st from the right, second roll) and Legislative member Sir Kai Ho (1st from the left, second roll).