| Physician-turned-nationalist, Dr Sun Yet-Sen (1866–1925) is recognised by Chinese everywhere as the founder of modern China. He was born in Hsiang-shan, Kwangtung Province, China, in 1866. He was the leader of the Chinese Kuomintang (Nationalist Party). His 'Three Principles of the People' were nationalism, democracy and people's livelihood (which included the regulation of private capital and land rights). Developed over many years, the principles sought to combine the fundamental aspects of nationalism, democracy and socialism. Following the overthrow of the Manchu dynasty, Dr Yat-Sen became the first provisional president of the Republic of China (1911–1912) and later served as the de facto ruler (1923–1925), although he died before the Kuomingtang could fully claim victory. After the communists took power in 1949, they also claimed Sun as their own, calling him 'a pioneer of the revolution'. |
