This villa, formerly known as Wan Qing Yuan, was used by Dr Sun Yat Sen as the Nanyang Tongmeng Hui Headquarters in Southeast Asia from 1907 to 1910 when he was working to overthrow the Qing dynasty. This Memorial Hall records the activities of Dr Sun Yat Sen in Southeast Asia and the involvement of the local community in support of his cause. These efforts contributed to the downfall of the Qing dynasty and the founding of the Chinese Republic.

Sun Yat Sen spent much of his time overseas recruiting followers to the Tongmeng Hui. He found many supporters in Southeast Asia. Sun Yat Sen was one of the great Asian leaders of the 20^th century. He was an inspiration to the overseas Chinese at a time when they were despised abroad because the weak Manchu government was not able to protect China or the Chinese people. Sun Yat Sen’s appeal aroused their desire for a strong homeland.

Some of Dr. Sun’s supporters were well to do, like the owner of Wan Qing Yuan, Teochew businessman Teo Eng Hock. However, the majority were young men, who were day-labourers, farm hands and miners. They did not have much, but many among them contributed generously to Dr Sun’s cause. Some joined the Tongmeng Hui and participated in the revolutionary uprisings in China. Many of these insurrections were planned in this villa. Of the 80 or more martyrs who died in the Guangzhou uprising of 1911, 10 were from Singapore. The uprisings failed, but the contributions of the Overseas Chinese were remembered and recognised by Dr Sun.

Most Singaporeans, especially the young, are not aware of the history of this building which was not gazetted as a national monument until 1994. The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry has taken great pains to restore the building and to make it meaningful. This restored and enlarged villa joins the ranks of the other 43 national monuments which reflect our multi-racial and multi-religious society.

I am pleased to declare the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall open.

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