Part 4: Madam Soong Ching-ling and the China Soong Ching-ling Foundation
“In his final words, Dr Sun Yat-sen requested all the revolutionists to continue the fight until final victory. The Communist Party of China has led the people in China to realise his final wish and to achieve even more. If Dr Sun was still around, he would be so proud of the works that the Communist Party of China has done in unifying the people and the races, in leading the people to earn great achievement in the revolution and construction of socialism, as well as in holding a firm stand in upholding Marxism in this world.”
“We have to thank the Communist Party of China for its dedication in the liberation of people. Without the Party’s leadership, we could never win!” (Madam Soong Ching-ling’s “Dr Sun Yat-sen – a relentless and committed revolutionist”, “A speech delivered at The 8th National Congress of the Communist Party of China” )
| (1) | The “Grand Outline for the Construction of the Nation” hold by Madam Soong Ching-ling |
Madam Soong Ching-ling took a picture at her residence in Beijing with the photocopied version of the “Grand Outline for the Construction of the Nation” hand-written by Dr Sun Yat-sen, which was published in 1956, in her hands.
| (2) | The Asia and Pacific Rim Peace Conference |
The Asia and Pacific Rim Peace Conference initiated by Madam Soong Ching-ling was held on 2 October 1952 in Beijing. She delivered an opening speech as the Head of the Chinese Delegation and the Executive Chairman of the Conference.
| (3) | “China Reconstructs” |
With the support of Premier Zhou En-lai, Madam Soong Ching-ling started an English magazine “China Reconstructs” (later renamed as “China Today”) in 1952. Until now, ten versions had been published in eight languages including Chinese, English, French, and German etc. to over 160 countries and regions all over the world. It has become an important channel for the world to know more about China.
| (4) | Many “First Times” for the People’s Republic of China |
Madam Soong Ching-ling cared about the well-being of women and children. She took an active role in launching “experimental and demonstrative” works.
Photo 1: China Welfare Institute made use of the money donated by Madam Soong to build “The International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital”, the first maternity and child care hospital in the People’s Republic of China, in Shanghai, in 1952.
Photo 2: Madam Soong Ching-ling founded the first children publication of the People’s Republic of China, “Children’s Times”.
| (5) | Participation in the Formulation of the First Constitution |
The photo was shot on 23 March 1954 by full committee members at the First Constitutional Drafting Committee Meeting. Starting from the right, Deng Xiao-ping, He Xian-ning, Chen Jun-run, Dong Bi-wu, Zhang Lan, Li Ji-shen, Liu Shao-qi, Mao Ze-dong, Madam Soong Ching-ling, Zhou En-lai, Chen Yun, Peng De-huai, Guo Mo-ruo, Huang Yan-pei and Chen Shu-tong.
| (6) | The First National People’s Congress in China |
The First National People’s Congress in China was held in Beijing on 15 to 28 September, 1954. The picture shows the chairman stand of the Closing Ceremony of the meeting. Starting from the left: Chen Shu-tong, Huang Yan-pei, Li Ji-shen, Madam Soong Chi-ling, Zhou En-lai, Mao Ze-deng, Liu Shoa-qi, Guo Mo-ruo and Zhang Lan. Madam Soong Ching-ling was elected to be the Vice-Chairperson of The National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China during the meeting.
| (7) | Speaking at The 8th Nation People’s Congress |
Madam Soong Ching-ling was invited to attend The 8th National People’s Congress of the Communist Party of China on 26 September, 1956. She gave a speech at the meeting.
| (8) | Study and Research by Madam Soong Ching-ling |
After the establishment of the new China, Madam Soong Ching-ling paid multiple visits to factories, farming villages, armies and the minority ethnic areas to study and research in order to understand the living conditions of members of the public.
Photo 1: Madam Soong’s visit at the Shanghai No 17 National Cotton Factory on 17 October, 1958. She dined with workers at the canteen.
Photo 2: Madam Soong’s visit at the farming village at Zhangjiakou in November 1951.
Photo 3: Madam Soong’s talking to heroes of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army at Beidai River in November 1951.
Photo 4: Madam Soong’s visiting a young Jingpo lady at Kuming Airport on 26 August, 1956.
| (9) | The vest and handkerchief used by Madam Soong Ching-ling |
Madam Soong Ching-ling was a person of absolute integrity. She led a simple and humble life. The cotton vest that she wore in her daily life was the one made by her and her nanny Li Yan-e with 26 pieces of cloths. She refused to throw away a handkerchief that could no longer be used. These are the vest and the handkerchief that were used by Madam Soong.
| (10) | Active Participation in National Events by Madam Soong Ching-ling |
As an important leader of the country, Madam Soong Ching-ling had always been active in participating state events.
Photo 1: Madam Soong’s meeting with delegation from Tibet who came to join The First National People’s Congress together with other national leaders in Beijing on 11 September, 1954.
Photo 2: Madam Soong’s participation in the extended 16th meeting of The Supreme State Conference of the People’s Republic of China hosted by Mao Ze-dong on 15 April, 1959.
Photo 3: Madam Soong’s joining the theoretical work retreat meeting organised by the Central Government of the Communist Party of China on 30 March, 1979. Deng Xiao-ping delivered the speech titled “Adherence to the Four Cardinal Principles”. The proposal of the four basic principles was a further elaboration of the route of plan made at The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. It laid down the basic path of the initial development of socialism of the Party by putting the focuses of economic development, reform and opening up of the country together.
| (11) | Madam Soong Ching-ling met with the Delegation of the United States Committee for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund “UNICEF” in China |
Madam Soong Ching-ling met with the Delegation of the United States Committee for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund “UNICEF” in her residence in Beijing on 3 April, 1980.
| (12) | Honorary Doctor of Law presented by the University of Victoria |
Madam Soong Ching-ling received the Honorary Doctor of Law presented by the University of Victoria in Vancouver, Canada, at The Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 8 May, 1981.
| (13) | News article featuring the acceptance of Madam Soong Ching-ling as the official member of the Communist Party of China |
The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China passed a unanimous decision to accept Comrade Soong Ching-ling as an official member of the Communist Party of China on 15 May, 1981.
| (14) | Newspaper featuring the news of Madam Soong Ching-ling being named as the Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China |
The 5th National People’s Congress Standing Committee decided to name Madam Soong Ching-ling as the Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China on 16 May, 1981.
| (15) | The death of Madam Soong Ching-ling |
Madam Soong Ching-ling passed away at 20:18 on 29 May, 1981. A temporary mourning hall was set up at that night in the living room of Madam Soong’s residence in Beijing. Family and friends coming from the United States were all by her side.
| (16) | Paid final respect to the remains |
In the late night of 29 May, 1981, leaders including Deng Xiao-ping rushed to Madam Soong’s residence in Beijing to pay last respect to her.
| (17) | The Cemetery of Soong Ching-ling in Shanghai |
The picture shows the Cemetery of Madam Soong Ching-ling in Shanghai. She rested next to her parents. Deng Xiao-ping wrote an inscription for the monument “Eternal glory to Comrade Soong Ching-ling”.
| (18) | Newspaper article featuring the establishment of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation |
For sake of inheriting and promoting the spirit of Madam Soong Ching-ling in her dedication in caring and assisting the welfare of children, building international friendship and bringing peace to the world, the older generation of the Party leaders including Deng Xiao-ping proposed the establishment of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation.
On the 1st anniversary of the death of Madam Soong on 29 May, 1982, Liao Cheng-zhi announced during his meeting with Madam Soong’s relatives and friends overseas that “The Central Committee has decided to set up a Children Scientific Park Foundation in Commemoration of the Honorary President of China Soong Ching Ling”. Deng Xiao-ping was the Honorary President of the Foundation, while Kang Ke-qing, Liao Cheng-zhi and Wang Zhi-min were the President, Consultant and General Secretary respectively. The Foundation was renamed as “Foundation in Commemoration of The Honorary President of China Soong Ching-ling” in December 1982, “Soong Ching Ling Foundation” in 1987 and then the “China Soong Ching Ling Foundation” in 2005.
“People’s Daily” reported the establishment of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation on 30 May, 1982.
| (19) | The Soong Ching Ling Memorial Residence was open to the public |
Photo 2: Deng Ying-chao, Chairman of the National Committee of the People’s Republic of China, unveiled the Residence.
| (20) | Donation of Royalty by Deng Xiao-ping |
Deng Xiao-ping donated the royalty of the initial edition of his book “Collected Works of Deng Xiaoping” (English Edition), with total amount of GBP 4,025 (RMB 19,014.39), to China Soong Ching Ling Foundation on 27 May, 1986.
| (21) | 100th Birthday Memorial Ceremony |
The 100th Birthday Memorial Ceremony of Madam Soong Ching-ling was held on 20 January, 1993 at The Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
| (22) | Visit by Teenagers from Hong Kong |
China Soong Ching Ling Foundation invited the delegation of teenager students from Hong Kong to visit The Soong Ching-ling Memorial Residence in July 1996.
| (23) | Exhibitions showcasing the precious artefacts of Madam Soong Ching-ling were held in Hong Kong |
A photo and artefacts exhibition featuring “Madam Soong Ching-ling and Children” was organised by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and The Hong Kong Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture in January 1993. In October 2004, the Foundation joined hands with the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to stage another historical photo and artefacts exhibition titled “Soong Ching-ling –Everlasting Love to Her Homeland”. The exhibition “A Sketch of Soong Ching Ling and Her Artefacts” was then jointly presented in 2009 by the Foundation and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The picture features the exhibition “A Sketch of Soong Ching Ling and Her Artefacts” held at the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum in Hong Kong in March 2009. Attending guests of the Opening Ceremony included He Lu-li.
| (24) | Cross-strait Hong Kong and Macau Youth Football Match |
The China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, together with the Chinese Football Association and related organisations in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, organised the Cross-strait Hong Kong and Macau Youth Football Match in Wuhan, Hubei, in October 2011.
| (25) | Cultural exchange activities for University Students from Hong Kong and Macau |
Starting from 2006, the Soong Ching-ling Memorial Residence in Beijing, an institution directly under The China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, and The China Soong Ching Ling Science & Cultural Exchange Centre for Young People have worked with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to organise cultural events for university students from Hong Kong and Macau. The picture shows a group photo taken by university students from Hong Kong and Macau at the Soong Ching-ling Memorial Residence.
| (26) | “The Album of My Folklore” – A visit by Youth from the Mainland and Hong Kong to ShanXi |
The Foundation started working with the China Ethnic & Folk Culture and Arts Exchange Association (HK) Limited to organise thematic cultural exchange events for youth from the Mainland and Hong Kong, “The Album of My Folklore”, since 2018. The picture features a singing performance by youth from the Mainland and Hong Kong titled “I love you, China”.
| (27) | Interview and Exchanges |
The Delegation of the Directors of The China Soong Ching Ling Foundation visited Leung Chun-ying, the Vice Chairperson of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, the Hong Kong Chief Executive at that time on 28 June, 2019.
| (28) | Experiences sharing on pandemic prevention and control |
The China Soong Ching Ling Foundation co-organised with the Capital Institute of Paediatrics the “Experiences Sharing on COVID Infection Prevention and Control for Children in Cross-Strait, Hong Kong and Macau” in Beijing on 24 October, 2020.
| (29) | “A Glimpse of Tang Prosperity from Murals – The Exhibition Tour on Murals of the Tang Dynasty”, an exhibition held at a school campus in Hong Kong |
The Opening Ceremony of the exhibition, “A Glimpse of Tang Prosperity from Murals – The Exhibition Tour on Murals of the Tang Dynasty”, was staged at the City University of Hong Kong on 2 December, 2021. The exhibition was co-organised by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, National Cultural Heritage Administration, Shanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration and Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation. It was the first time a thematic exhibition featuring the murals from the Tang Dynasty being staged in a school campus in Hong Kong.
| (30) | The 8th Board of Directors’ Meeting of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation |
The 8th Board of Directors’ Meeting of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation was held in Beijing on 22 December, 2021. Li Bin, the Vice Chairperson of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, was elected to be the Chairman of the 8th Board of Directors of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation. There are currently 257 directors and 49 honorary directors in the Foundation. Among them, 29 of the directors and 10 of the honorary directors come from Hong Kong.
| (31) | Annual Conference of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Youth Charity |
Li Bin attended the Kick-off Ceremony of the Annual Conference of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Youth Charity on 23 April, 2022. The Annual Conference was co-organised by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Guangdong Province Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation and Macao Foundation for three consecutive times starting from 2020.
Photo 2: An action appeal made by youth delegations at the Annual Conference in 2020.
Photo 3: A group photo taken by baseball team members from Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, who participated in the “Youth Charity Annual Conference Cup” in 2021.
| (32) | News article featuring the 40th Anniversary of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation |
Xi Jing-ping, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, President of the People’s Republic of China and the Chairman of the Central Military Commission, wrote a letter to congratulate the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation for its 40th Anniversary on 31 May, 2022.
| (33) | “Future Talks: Extraordinary Decade, Our New Era” – A Road Show Event at Schools in Hong Kong |
The Kick-off Ceremony of the school road show event – “Future Talks: Extraordinary Decade, Our New Era” was held at the Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School on 13 August, 2022. The event was co-hosted by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation and China Ethnic & Folk Culture and Arts Exchange Association (HK) Limited, together with Po Leung Kuk Hong Kong, New Territories School Heads Association, Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council and United Zhejiang Residents Associations (Hong Kong) Limited.