To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of the founding father of the Republic of China Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Overseas Chinese Association Toronto Chapter (OCATC) and Chinese Community Centre of Ontario (CCCO) jointly organized a series of events on March 12, 2016, the 91th anniversary of Dr. Sun’s passing.
To kick off the events, a ceremony was held to pay tribute to the Statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen standing at the Riverdale Park in Toronto’s East Chinatown. Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Toronto Catherine Y. M. Hsu and leaders of local overseas Chinese communities attended the solemn and dignified ceremony.
The event organizers also hosted a photo exhibition on Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s life and deeds at the lobby of Toronto TECO’s cultural centre. During the opening ceremony of the exhibition, local politicians were invited to join DG Hsu, CCCO Chairman Liang-hao Shao and OCATC President Jin-hong Mai in cutting the ribbon, including former MP Chungsen Leung, Markham Regional Councillor Joe Li, Markham Ward Councillor Amanda Collucci and Richmond Hill Ward Councillor Godwin Chan. A documentary about Dr. Sun’s life stories was also screened in the ceremony, while former member of the ROC Legislative Yuan Chih-yuan Hsu gave a talk on Dr. Sun’s legendary life. Former Director of Toronto TECO’s Cultural Centre Hsu-pang Chien also presented a speech entitled “The Founding Father and the Historical Position of the ROC.” Around 200 members of local overseas Chinese communities showed up for the ceremony.
In her remarks, Madam DG Hsu spoke about Dr. Sun’s contributions in leading revolution and establishing Asia’s first democratic republic, the ROC. She also mentioned Dr. Sun’s vision in proposing the Three Principles of the People, Five-Power Constitution and the ideas on the government of the people, by the people, for the people. These ever-lasting principles are now embodied in the free, democratic and prosperous ROC (Taiwan).From this perspective, noted Madman DG Hsu, celebrating Dr. Sun’s achievements at present is of great historical significance.
Madam DG Hsu (centre) poses with other attendees after paying tribute to the Statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sun.
Madam DG Hsu (centre), along with local politicians and leaders of overseas Chinese communities, cut the ribbon during the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition.
A group photo is taken at the opening ceremony of the events marking 150th anniversary of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s birth.