Dr. Sun Yat Sen and the Chinese Free masons in Canada

Dr. Sun Yat Sen led the 1911 Xinhai Revolution in China that overthrew the last imperial dynasty and founded the first republic government in Asia, the Chinese Republic.

Being persecuted and hunted for promoting revolution from within China and realizing the potential for support among Chinese outside China, Dr. Sun spent most of the period 1895 - 1911 travelling in overseas Chinese communities around the world seeking political and financial support. Purportedly, he visited Canada three times, in the years 1897, 1910 and 1911. His initial visit was limited to Victoria and Vancouver, where most of the Chinese then lived.

As a brother Freemason, Dr. Sun was welcomed with open arms by the Chinese community. By the time of his third visit early 1911, political excitement was high amongst Vancouver's Chinese. His daily lectures at the Sing Kew Chinese Theatre in Shanghai Alley were packed. He received major support from the Chee Kun Tong (Chinese Freemasons). He stayed in the Chee Kun Tong (Chinese Freemasons) building presently located at 5 West Pender Street, across the street from Shanghai and Canton Alley. Because of the common bond in the brotherhood of the Chinese Freemasons, the Chinese in Canada gave tremendous support to Dr. Sun by making personal donations and by mortgaging their own buildings. In total, the Chinese in Canada donated over $35,000 to Dr. Sun to aid the revolution. The sum largely financed the abortive attempted uprising at Huang Hua Kang, some six months prior to the successful overthrow of the Qing Dynasty in October, 1911. Of the 72 martyrs that died during this uprising, 68 of them belonged to dif

In addition to sacrifices of lives and financial support, the Chee Kun Tong published the Chinese Times in Vancouver in 1907, around the time of the infamous anti-Asian riot that swept Vancouver's Chinatown. Through its editorials, the Chinese Times was instrumental in keeping the revolutionary ideals and fervor going among the Chinese in Vancouver and Victoria. The Chinese Times ceased publication in 1993.

"The Overseas Chinese are the Mothers of the Chinese Revolution." Dr. Sun Yat Sen The Xinhai (1911) Revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a very significant milestone in world history as it put an end to the autocratic monarchy that had ruled China for more than 2,000 years, and established a democratic republic for the Chinese people.

The Vancouver Chinese population contributed to and played a very significant role towards the success of the 1911 Revolution. As a result there remain today huge sentiments among the Vancouver Chinese Canadian community to commemorate the 100th anniversary of this very special milestone in Chinese and world history.