Representatives from various sectors in East China's Jiangsu Province hold a memorial ceremony at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the passing of Sun Yat-sen on March 12, 2025 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. Photo: VCG

March 12, 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the passing of renowned Chinese revolutionary and statesman Sun Yat-sen. On Wednesday, the spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office called on fellow compatriots in Taiwan to carry forward Sun's legacy, resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism and external interference, promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and work together toward national reunification and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

In his final political testament to the Chinese people, Sun left the words: "Peace, struggle and save China." At a press conference on Wednesday, in response to a media inquiry on what insights these words offer for the current cross-Straits relations and China's development, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said that Sun was a great national hero, great patriot and great forerunner of China's democratic revolution. Throughout his life, he pursued national unity and the revitalization of China, earning the admiration of all Chinese people.

Commemorative events were held in various places across China, including Beijing, Jiangsu and Guangdong. In Taiwan, a memorial activity was also organized on Wednesday with participants calling on the island's residents to uphold Sun's spirit, promote cross-Straits peace, and oppose the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' actions that are pushing the island toward greater instability.

On Wednesday morning, representatives from various sectors in Beijing gathered at Zhongshan Hall in Zhongshan Park for a solemn ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of Sun's passing, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

At 9:30 am on Wednesday, a commemorative ceremony was held at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, Sun's birth province. Attendees stood in silence before Sun's bronze statue and bowed three times. Representatives from the Guangdong provincial and Guangzhou municipal governments presented flower baskets in tribute, according to chinanews.com.

Representatives from several civilian groups on the Taiwan island, including the Labor Party and the Reunification Alliance Party in Taiwan, gathered in front of the regional government's supervisory branch to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sun's passing on Wednesday. They initiated a proposal to promote Taiwan's development and call for cross-Straits peace, the Global Times learned from the Labor Party on Wednesday. 

Xu Mengxiang, deputy secretary-general of the Labor Party, emphasized the significance of commemorating the 100th anniversary of Sun's passing. Taiwan people's fundamental aspirations remain unchanged - peace, development, and a stable, prosperous life, Xu said. 

Chi Chia-lin, who heads the Reunification Alliance Party in Taiwan, said that the core of Sun's spirit lies in revitalizing China, achieving reunification, and bringing honor to the nation. Citing historical lessons, Chi warned that Taiwan regional authorities cannot continue to accelerate "de-Sinicization," as erasing the Chinese identity would only push the island toward uncertainty and potential disaster.

Aside from Wednesday's event, the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party has reportedly held a series of activities to commemorate Sun. On March 7, a forum on commemorating the 100th anniversary of Sun's passing was held with former KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou and other KMT members in attendance, according to Taiwan media outlet udn.com

The DPP authorities have been criticized by some people and media in Taiwan for ignoring the 100th anniversary of Sun's passing, with almost no official commemorative activities.

To push their "Taiwan independence" agenda, the DPP authorities have intensified "de-Sinicization" efforts by severing historical, cultural and educational ties across the Taiwan Straits. Gradually erasing Sun's historical significance is one such move, Zheng Jian, director of the Graduate Institute for Taiwan Studies of Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Wednesday. 

Commemorating Sun's 100th anniversary helps to strengthen national unity and reinforces Chinese identity. Honoring Sun is not only a continuation of his legacy but also a firm response to separatist forces that distort history and undermine national identity, Zheng said.