Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Provisional President of the Republic of China, visited Hong Kong in 1912

Date picture taken
1912

Comments

Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925) was a Chinese physician, revolutionary, and political philosopher widely revered as the "Father of Modern China."  He led the 1911 Revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty, ending over 2,000 years of imperial rule, and served as the first provisional president of the Republic of China

In May 1912, Dr Sun visited Hong Kong and met with British Colonial Secretary Claud Severn, who was serving concurrently as the acting governor of the territory. The actual Governor of Hong Kong at the time, Sir Frederick Lugard, had departed, leaving Severn to manage the government until the arrival of the newly appointed Governor, Francis Henry May, in July 1912.

Seated alongside Sun and Severn was Dr. Ho Kai, a prominent Hong Kong legislator and educator who served as Sun's mentor and benefactor.

Standing directly behind them in the photo were future Hong Kong Governors Henry May, Cecil Clementi, and E. R. Hallifax - Secretary for Chinese Affairs.