Our story begins at a time when China was in a state of political decadence and structural upheaval. It was during this tumultuous period that a saviour was born. That man was
Dr Sun Yat Sen.
Our aim is to highlight Dr Sun's relationship with Singapore and Southeast Asia. That is why we are named
Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.
The democratic reform that Dr Sun Yat Sen advocated has, in one way or another, made a strong impact on the lives of every Chinese, including the Chinese in Singapore.
Dr Sun liberated the Chinese people from ancient feudalistic practices. His call for the ban of pigtails and bound feet gave the Chinese freedom in appearance and movement.
Laws such as the eradication of gambling, prohibition of opium consumption, ban on illegal human trade and the abolishment of slavery, altered the lives of the Chinese by releasing them from the shackles of ignorance.
The greatest significance of the 1911 Revolution for Singapore was its impact on our history and culture. It is for this reason that the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (also known as Dr Sun Yat Sen Villa or Wan Qing Yuan) should be preserved as a "cultural shrine."
Singapore was the headquarters of the revolutionary movement in Southeast Asia. It played a pivotal role in the 1911 Revolution that led to the massive alteration of China's destiny and the political scene of Asia. The success of this historical event was partly due to our involvement and contribution. This honour will serve to boost the confidence of all Singaporeans. Though our nation's history is relatively young, we can still perform well on the international arena; even with limited space and natural resources, we can become an affluent cosmopolitan, populated by distinguished individuals.
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