To commemorate the 160th birthday of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall under the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Academic and Cultural Foundation and the Chinese Culture University, held a series of events on November 11 and 12. Activities included the international academic symposium “Inheritance, Innovation, and Promotion: Commemorating the 160th Birthday of Dr. Sun Yat-sen,” the “Tribute to the Statue of the Founding Father,” visits to “Sun Yat-sen’s Historical Sites and Republic of China History,” as well as themed cultural markets. These activities honored Dr. Sun’s spirit in founding the Republic of China and promoted the philosophy of Sunology through both academic theory and practical engagement, allowing the ideals of “the world for all” and “universal love” to shine continuously in Taiwan.
The international academic symposium consisted of an international session on the first day and a youth session on the second day. The opening ceremony was held at 9:00 a.m. on November 11 at the International Conference Hall of Chinese Culture University, hosted by Director Wang Lansheng. Scholars from Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Mainland China gathered with Taiwanese scholars specializing in Sunology. To promote academic cooperation, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall signed a memorandum of cooperation with four academic organizations—the Society for Ethnic Groups and Multiculturalism, the Chen Shou-ren Sunology Research Center, the Chi Chung Cultural and Educational Foundation, and the Taiwan Association of Foreign Relations Research and Development. The cooperation includes future academic events, international exchanges, joint research, publications, and the cultivation of young scholars.
Director Wang Lansheng stated that Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a great statesman and revolutionary, left behind enduring ideas. Deepening research on Sunology and inspiring younger generations to carry forward and innovate his philosophy is a key purpose of the commemoration. Lee Chien-jung, Chairman of the Sun Yat-sen Academic and Cultural Foundation, noted that Dr. Sun’s thought is profound—especially the Three Principles of the People and his Blueprints for Nation-building, which serve as guiding principles for governance. Dr. Sun’s perseverance and unwavering spirit as a revolutionary leader remain worthy of admiration. The keynote speech of the symposium was delivered by former Director of the Academia Historica, Professor Lü Fang-shang. Experts and scholars discussed topics such as “Sun Yat-sen and the History of the Republic of China,” “Sun Yat-sen and Overseas Revolutions,” and “Sun Yat-sen and National Development,” engaging nearly one hundred participants in warm and thoughtful exchanges.
On November 12, the Memorial Hall held the “Tribute to the Statue of the Founding Father” ceremony, joined by Director Wang, staff members, international scholars, and Taiwanese Sunology researchers. This was followed by visits to the National Palace Museum (Sun Yat-sen Museum) and the Chi-Nan Seven Seas Cultural Park to honor Dr. Sun’s legacy, view the Palace Museum’s centennial exhibition, and learn about Taiwan’s democratic achievements.
As a leading institution in global Sunology research, the Memorial Hall also published a special commemorative issue, “The 160th Birthday of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.” The publication includes six selected articles exploring Dr. Sun’s views on social cooperation, anti-corruption principles, political party ideals, industrial planning, economic legal thought, and historical revolutionary accounts—highlighting his governance philosophy and its relevance to contemporary national development in Taiwan.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen, revered across the Taiwan Strait and among Chinese communities worldwide, holds a profound role in shaping collective identity and historical memory. Through the symposium, commemorative publication, historical site visits, and tribute ceremonies, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall continues to promote and preserve Dr. Sun’s thought. For more information, please visit the Memorial Hall website at www.yatsen.gov.tw or call (02) 2758-8008 ext. 526.