A gathering to commemorate the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s birth was held in Beijing on Thursday.
Born in 1866, Sun led the Revolution of 1911 more than a century ago to abolish the absolute monarchy that had ruled China for thousands of years. Sun died in 1925.
Addressing the event in the Great Hall of the People, Xi hailed Sun as a great national hero, a great patriot and a great pioneer of China’s democratic revolution.
Sun was also the founder of the Kuomintang, or KMT, which remains a major political party in Taiwan today. Commemorative events marking Sun’s 160th birth anniversary have also been held in Taiwan.
When Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT), visited the Chinese mainland in April, she led a KMT delegation to pay homage to Sun Yat-sen at his mausoleum in Nanjing, capital of east China’s Jiangsu Province.
Sun Yat-sen may not be an especially familiar name to some international readers today. But his place in modern Chinese history remains highly significant.
At the state dinner held at the White House during Xi’s visit to the United States in September, U.S. President Donald Trump also invoked Sun, placing him alongside the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu: “China draws on thousands of years of history and tradition from Sun Tzu to Sun Yat-sen.”
Coincidentally, both men share the Chinese surname Sun. The reference also offers a glimpse of Sun Yat-sen’s enduring place in narratives about China’s history and national development.
Xinhua News Agency has published the full Chinese text of Xi’s speech delivered at today’s event. I used AI to produce an English translation of the entire speech, which I am sharing below for readers who want a quick look at the full text. Please note that this is an AI-assisted translation and may contain errors. It is not an official English version and is provided for reference only.
A few parts of the speech caught my attention:
Chinese communists are the most steadfast supporters, loyal collaborators, and faithful successors to the revolutionary cause initiated by Sun.
This sentence neatly summarizes how the Communist Party of China (CPC) positions its historical relationship with Sun Yat-sen and his revolutionary cause. Historically, Sun promoted cooperation between the Kuomintang and the CPC, and brought some CPC members into the reorganization of the KMT.
Xi also said:
Many of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s visions for China’s future development -- including the grand plans he outlined in The International Development of China for building railways and roads, expanding communications, developing water conservancy, digging canals, constructing ports, and building factories and mines -- have long since become reality, and what has been achieved is even richer and more extensive than what he envisioned.
This passage also echoes the earlier description of the Chinese Communists as Sun’s “faithful successors,” linking many of Sun’s visions for China’s modernization with the country’s subsequent development.
Below, I have reproduced in full the section of the speech dealing with Taiwan, as I suspect this will be of particular interest to many overseas China watchers:
Dr. Sun always upheld national unity and ethnic solidarity, and resolutely opposed any word or act attempting to split the country and divide the nation. He stressed that “China is a unified country,” declared that “’unification’ is the hope of all the Chinese people,” and said that he “would use all my influence to work for national unification.” His strong aspiration and firm resolve for the reunification of the motherland have continued to enlighten, educate and inspire all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation.
Throughout the more than 5,000-year history of Chinese civilization, the conviction that our territory must not be divided, our country must not be thrown into chaos, our nation must not be split, and our civilization must not be interrupted has always been deeply ingrained in all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation. Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland is an unwavering historical mission for the CPC, the shared aspiration of all Chinese people, and a natural requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese. We are one family bound by blood, and blood is thicker than water. Among family members, as long as we talk things over in good faith and consult more when issues arise, there are no differences or disputes that cannot be resolved. For a long time, we have upheld the conviction that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family, continuously deepened cross-Strait exchanges and integration, and improved the well-being of compatriots on both sides.
Looking ahead, we will continue to uphold the policy of “peaceful reunification and one country, two systems.” On the basis of the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, we are willing to engage in dialogue and consultation with people of insight from all sectors in Taiwan on cross-Strait relations and national reunification. We will certainly give full consideration to the realities in Taiwan and fully accommodate the interests and feelings of Taiwan compatriots, but we will never leave any room for separatist activities seeking “Taiwan independence” in any form.
The future of Taiwan lies in national reunification, and the well-being of Taiwan compatriots depends on the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation at home and abroad should join hands, jointly oppose the separatist forces seeking “Taiwan independence,” and work together for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and the complete reunification of the motherland. The tide of history is unstoppable. The complete reunification of the motherland must be realized and can surely be realized!
This is not the first time a Chinese leader has explicitly linked resolving the Taiwan question with national rejuvenation. But its inclusion in a speech commemorating Sun Yat-sen is still notable. It reflects Beijing’s clear framing of complete reunification as an integral part of national rejuvenation, as well as the importance it continues to attach to achieving that goal.
The full text of the speech is below:
Speech at the Meeting Commemorating the 160th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen
Comrades and Friends,
We are gathered here today to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, to remember his immortal contributions to national independence, social progress and the people’s well-being, to learn from, carry forward and promote his valuable spirit, and to inspire all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation at home and abroad to unite and strive for building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a great national hero, a great patriot, and a great forerunner of China’s democratic revolution. At the time of his birth, our country was suffering from the savage aggression of Western powers and the corrupt rule of feudal autocracy, and the Chinese nation was mired in profound suffering caused by both domestic turmoil and foreign aggression. Faced with a shattered country in a precarious situation, the heroic Chinese people never yielded. Countless dedicated patriots rose up in resistance and painstakingly explored ways to save the country and the people. Dr. Sun Yat-sen was an outstanding representative among them.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen “devoted himself to the national revolution for 40 years.” He spared no effort and devoted his entire life to transforming China, making outstanding contributions to the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. He held high the banner of opposition to feudal autocracy, put forward the political program of the Three People’s Principles -- nationalism, democracy and the people’s livelihood -- and was the first to sound the clarion call of “revitalizing China.” He spread revolutionary ideas far and wide and launched successive armed uprisings, helping build momentum for revolution. The Revolution of 1911, which he led, overthrew the absolute monarchy that had ruled China for thousands of years, opened the floodgates of progress in China, established the first republic in Asia, profoundly advanced social transformation in China, and explored a path toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Influenced by the October Revolution and Marxism-Leninism, and with the help of the Communist Party of China (CPC), he developed the old Three People’s Principles into the new Three People’s Principles, adopted the Three Great Policies of alliance with Russia, cooperation with the Communist Party and assistance to the peasants and workers, reorganized the Chinese Kuomintang, helped advance the Northern Expedition toward victory, and pushed forward the anti-imperialist and anti-feudal democratic revolution.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s outstanding contributions will forever be recorded in history. He enjoys high prestige among the Chinese people and is sincerely revered by all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation at home and abroad. Today, the Chinese people are advancing Chinese modernization with great vigor, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. At this moment, as we look back on Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary career and remember his great achievements, our hearts are filled with even deeper respect.
Comrades and Friends,
Chinese communists are the most steadfast supporters, loyal collaborators, and faithful successors to the revolutionary cause initiated by Sun. Over the past century and more, our Party has led the people in securing great achievements in the New Democratic Revolution, socialist revolution and construction, reform, opening up and socialist modernization, and socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, writing the most magnificent epic in the millennia-long history of the Chinese nation. Many of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s visions for China’s future development -- including the grand plans he outlined in The International Development of China for building railways and roads, expanding communications, developing water conservancy, digging canals, constructing ports, and building factories and mines -- have long since become reality, and what has been achieved is even richer and more extensive than what he envisioned. Today, our great motherland stands tall and firm in the East. China has remained the world’s second-largest economy, its people have achieved moderate prosperity in all respects, and the Chinese nation has achieved a tremendous transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong. China is also making new contributions to the development and progress of human society. All this would surely bring comfort to the spirit of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
Comrades and Friends,
For more than a century, Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s call to “revitalize China” has inspired generation after generation of Chinese people and has continuously taken on new meaning and substance in keeping with the times. Today, the best way for us to commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen is to learn from, carry forward and promote his valuable spirit and continue advancing the great cause of building a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation.
-- Dr. Sun Yat-sen devoted his life to loving and saving the country. To learn from, carry forward and promote his valuable spirit, we must vigorously promote patriotism and strive to make our motherland prosperous and strong.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen was driven by a strong patriotic passion, declaring, “I am determined to devote myself to the struggle to repay my country.” He believed that “the greatest thing in being a person” was “to know how to love one’s country,” that “if the right to development rests in our own hands, we will survive; if it rests in the hands of others, we will perish,” and that “saving China is entirely our own responsibility.” It was with the determination to shoulder this responsibility that he struggled tirelessly throughout his life -- to “prop up the tottering edifice,” and to make China “the most prosperous and powerful country in the world” and “the happiest and most peaceful country in the world.”
On the new journey, we must uphold the unity of love for the country, love for the Party and love for socialism; uphold the Party’s overall leadership and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee; remain confident in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; inspire all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation at home and abroad to deepen their patriotic commitment and strengthen their resolve to build a strong country; advance Chinese modernization from victory to victory; and work together to make our great motherland an even better place.
-- Dr. Sun Yat-sen cared deeply about the people throughout his life. To learn from, carry forward and promote his valuable spirit, we must always put the people first and serve them wholeheartedly.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen had a deep affection for the people. He believed that “the foundation of a country lies in its people,” pledged to “work for the happiness of the people’s livelihood,” and firmly believed that the purpose of revolution “is to remove the people’s suffering.” He said, “What the people cannot do, we must do for them; rights the people do not have, we must fight for them.” He stressed that “the Three People’s Principles were formulated for the people,” advocated the “equalization of land ownership” and the “regulation of capital,” and sought to ensure that “everyone enjoys the happiness of economic equality, free from the troubles of inequality.” He worked tirelessly throughout his life so that the Chinese people could become “the happiest people in the world.”
On the new journey, we must keep firmly in mind that this country is its people and the people are the country. We must stand firmly with the people, respond to their wishes, respect their creativity and pool their wisdom. We must develop whole-process people’s democracy, safeguard and improve the people’s well-being, ensure that the fruits of modernization benefit all our people more fully and fairly, and make solid progress in promoting well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all.
-- Dr. Sun Yat-sen pursued truth throughout his life. To learn from, carry forward and promote his valuable spirit, we must uphold the “Two Integrations” and continue advancing theoretical innovation on the basis of practice.
From a young age, Dr. Sun Yat-sen aspired to “explore the mysteries of heaven and earth.” Throughout his life, he extensively studied advanced knowledge and beneficial intellectual achievements in order to “adapt to the trends of the world and meet the needs of the people.” After devoting himself to the revolution, he came to understand clearly that “the success of a revolution depends on changes in thought.” He actively sought truth from revolutionary practice and worked constantly to improve his revolutionary ideas and strategies of struggle. He spent his life making arduous and persistent efforts to bring about “a genuine solution to China’s problems.”
On the new journey, we must continue to integrate the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with China’s fine traditional culture. We must have the courage to explore and innovate in theory, provide sound answers to the questions posed by China, by the world, by the people and by the times, enrich and develop Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in keeping with the times, and continue opening new chapters in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times.
-- Dr. Sun Yat-sen remained indomitable throughout his life. To learn from, carry forward and promote his valuable spirit, we must have the courage to tackle difficulties and challenges and open up new horizons for our cause through tenacious struggle.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen experienced repeated setbacks and tremendous hardships in his revolutionary career, yet he always upheld the conviction that “where my aspiration lies, I will forge ahead without hesitation; the more setbacks I encounter, the more determined I will become, and I will keep up my efforts.” With a boldness and perseverance that “could not be bent by hardship even when there seemed to be no way forward,” he fought resolutely against all forces running counter to the trend of the times. He was never shaken by external threats, internal divisions or temporary failures, demonstrating firm revolutionary resolve and fearless heroism. Even on his deathbed, he remained preoccupied with “peace, struggle and saving China,” truly fighting without cease until the end of his life.
On the new journey, we must take into account both the domestic and international situations, coordinate development and security, carry forward the fighting spirit and strengthen our ability to fight. We must fear no difficulty and yield to no enemy, always stand ready to withstand major tests involving high winds, choppy waters and even dangerous storms, make every effort to overcome all risks and challenges on the road ahead, and continue winning new victories in the great struggle of the new era.
-- Dr. Sun Yat-sen advocated unity throughout his life. To learn from, carry forward and promote his valuable spirit, we must uphold the united front and continue consolidating and developing the great unity of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation.
In advancing the revolution, Dr. Sun Yat-sen always stressed that “the revolutionary cause originates from the people and is also accomplished by the people.” He devoted himself to “awakening the people.” Traveling extensively and overcoming obstacles from many quarters, he seized every opportunity to promote revolutionary ideas among people in China and overseas Chinese communities, attract more people to support the revolutionary cause, and broadly unite forces from all sides to “move forward in step, put the country’s long-term interests first, and strive with all our strength.” His united front policy, together with the political program of the Three People’s Principles and his spirit of arduous struggle, was praised by Comrade Mao Zedong as “the most central, essential and greatest legacy he left us.”
On the new journey, we must always uphold great unity and solidarity, unite all forces that can be united and mobilize all positive factors that can be mobilized. We must promote harmony in relations among political parties, ethnic groups, religions, social strata, and compatriots at home and abroad; consolidate and develop the broadest possible patriotic united front; and pool a mighty force for advancing Chinese modernization.
-- Dr. Sun Yat-sen had a broad vision of the world throughout his life. To learn from, carry forward and promote his valuable spirit, we must vigorously promote the common values of humanity and actively advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen viewed the relationship between China and the world from a broad perspective. He placed the Chinese revolution in the context of the times while also examining China’s development in the context of global trends. He stressed that once China became strong and prosperous, it “would also have to shoulder a great responsibility for the world.” He predicted that once the great goal of transforming China was achieved, “all humanity would also be able to share a brighter future.” He regarded “a world for the common good” as “the goal of human evolution” and “the aspiration of humanity.” He advocated “a policy of openness,” attached importance to exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, but insisted that China must never “follow the old path of Western civilization.”
On the new journey, we must always take a global perspective in considering the future and destiny of humanity, and properly understand and handle China’s relations with the outside world from the perspective of the broad trend of human development, the overall pattern of changes in the world, and the long course of China’s development. We must promote peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom -- the common values of humanity -- actively advance the implementation of the four major global initiatives, and make China’s contribution to building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Comrades and Friends,
Dr. Sun always upheld national unity and ethnic solidarity, and resolutely opposed any word or act attempting to split the country and divide the nation. He stressed that “China is a unified country,” declared that “’unification’ is the hope of all the Chinese people,” and said that he “would use all my influence to work for national unification.” His strong aspiration and firm resolve for the reunification of the motherland have continued to enlighten, educate and inspire all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation.
Throughout the more than 5,000-year history of Chinese civilization, the conviction that our territory must not be divided, our country must not be thrown into chaos, our nation must not be split, and our civilization must not be interrupted has always been deeply ingrained in all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation. Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland is an unwavering historical mission for the CPC, the shared aspiration of all Chinese people, and a natural requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese. We are one family bound by blood, and blood is thicker than water. Among family members, as long as we talk things over in good faith and consult more when issues arise, there are no differences or disputes that cannot be resolved. For a long time, we have upheld the conviction that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family, continuously deepened cross-Strait exchanges and integration, and improved the well-being of compatriots on both sides.
Looking ahead, we will continue to uphold the policy of “peaceful reunification and one country, two systems.” On the basis of the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, we are willing to engage in dialogue and consultation with people of insight from all sectors in Taiwan on cross-Strait relations and national reunification. We will certainly give full consideration to the realities in Taiwan and fully accommodate the interests and feelings of Taiwan compatriots, but we will never leave any room for separatist activities seeking “Taiwan independence” in any form.
The future of Taiwan lies in national reunification, and the well-being of Taiwan compatriots depends on the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation at home and abroad should join hands, jointly oppose the separatist forces seeking “Taiwan independence,” and work together for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and the complete reunification of the motherland. The tide of history is unstoppable. The complete reunification of the motherland must be realized and can surely be realized!
Comrades and Friends,
Advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization is a new Long March for the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people, and the only path toward realizing Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s aspiration to “revitalize China.”
I call on all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation at home and abroad to unite even more closely, carry forward Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s legacy, join hands and work together for the great cause of national rejuvenation, and continue turning the great dream that people of all ethnic groups in China have tirelessly pursued since the advent of modern times into a splendid reality!