Singapore Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall reopens to public
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Xinhua, October 8, 2011
After one year's renovation, Singapore Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall reopened to the public on Saturday to commemorate the 100 anniversary of the 1911 Chinese Revolution to overthrow the Qing Dynasty.
Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said at the official opening ceremony that the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, known to many as Wan Qing Yuan, demonstrates an important historical link between Singapore and the global Chinese population through Dr Sun Yat Sen.
Over the years, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) and the Singapore National Heritage Board work together to continuously strive to repair and renovation of the villa, Teo said.
Teo said Wan Qing Yuan, as a base for Dr. Sun Yat Sen's revolutionary movement to overthrow the Qing Dynasty for the establishment of a modern republic, reflects the huge historical currents of the early 1900s in China.
Teo Siong Seng, SCCCI President, said that the reopening ceremony is of great and far-reaching significance. During the Revolution of 1911, the villa was a place for people with lofty ideals to meet. One hundred years later, guests from various countries gathered here together to recall Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
The villa, built in the 19th century, is a convex-shaped two- story building. Businessman Teo Eng Hock originally dedicated the villa to his mother, and then he donated to "the great revolutionary forerunner" Sun Yat Sen for revolutionary activities. From July 1900 to December 1911, Sun visited Singapore eight times and stayed at the villa.
Singapore Zhong Shan Park was also unveiled on the same day to mark the revolution centennial.
