The From Revitalizing China to National Rejuvenation — Sun Yat-sen Historical Relics Exhibition, opened on Monday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Marking the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth, the event aims to review his revolutionary journey, honor his patriotic spirit, and showcase the connection between his ideal of "revitalizing China" and the cause of national rejuvenation.

Organized by Bauhinia Culture Holdings Limited and the Hong Kong Culture Association and co-organized by Bauhinia Magazine and the Museum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen in Zhongshan, the exhibition marks the first collaboration featuring seven Sun Yat-sen-themed museums from the mainland alongside the Sun Yat-sen Museum in Hong Kong.

The six-day exhibition runs through Nov 7, showcasing historical photographs, documents, audio-visual materials, and physical artifacts that reflect Sun's life and revolutionary deeds.

READ MORE: Honoring Sun Yat-sen's 160th birth anniversary

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Eric Chan Kwok-ki, chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government, said this year marks the beginning of the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan, adding that Hong Kong's first five-year plan explicitly proposes deepening patriotic education, national education, national security education, and values education, aiming to cultivate a new generation that possesses both virtue and talent, loves the country and Hong Kong, and demonstrates cultural confidence, correct values, and a global perspective.

"This exhibition provides precious materials for patriotic education in Hong Kong by displaying historical data of Sun's glorious life," Chan said. "To commemorate the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth, the HKSAR government and civil organizations will host a series of activities this month, including exhibitions, lectures, and youth mainland exchange tours, allowing citizens to understand Sun's life and contributions from multiple perspectives."

Cui Chaoyang, general manager of Bauhinia Culture Holdings Limited, said he hopes the exhibition will serve as a classroom, historical teaching material, and cultural bond, enabling more Hong Kong residents, especially young people, to understand the motherland by looking back at history and strengthening their cultural confidence as they trace their shared roots.

"Hong Kong was fertile cultural soil for Sun's initial revolutionary aspirations and a crucial starting point for his pursuit of truth and national development," said Tu Huilong, chairman of the Hong Kong Culture Association. "This land is deeply inscribed with Sun's youthful patriotic ideals and revolutionary intent, binding his spirit to Hong Kong's heritage in an enduring legacy."

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Sun Wai-yung, a deputy to the National People's Congress and a great-grandnephew of Sun, said: "The theme 'From Revitalizing China to National Rejuvenation' seamlessly connects Sun's ideals with the continuous endeavors of modern China."

Sun said that history should not remain confined to textbooks, but rather enter our daily lives. He expressed hopes that Hong Kong residents will visit the exhibition to gain a deeper understanding of Sun's revolutionary journey through the historical photos and archival documents on display.

"The best way to commemorate Sun Yat-sen is not to linger in remembrance and admiration alone, but to ensure that his patriotism, spirit of struggle, and dedication to the people are carried forward into the new era and translated into action," he said.

Elena Givone, an Italian photographer visiting the exhibition, shared her impressions. "I didn't know the famous leader's story before, but we have learned a bit because they introduced us to the history, and it's very interesting what he did with his wife as well," she said.

“I think this exhibition is very important also for students to learn more and to understand better because what we are today is thanks to somebody else before us, so that made this possible.”