Xinhai Revolution(辛亥革命)

Today is the 100 Year Anniversary of Xinhai Revolution, and formation of Republic of China. Both Taiwan and Mainland China celebrated the 100 anniversary of the historical event on 10-10-1911.

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou(馬英九)said Monday that China should "move bravely toward freedom and democracy."

Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) yesterday used the centennial of a revolution that ended imperial rule to make an appeal to further relations with Taiwan, saying they should move beyond the history that divides them and focus on common economic and cultural interests. Hu said China and Taiwan should end antagonisms, “heal wounds of the past and work together to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” He stressed that “Achieving reunification by peaceful means best serves the fundamental interests of all Chinese, including our Taiwan compatriots,” Hu said, adding that the sides should increase economic competitiveness, promote Chinese culture and build on a sense of a common national identity.“We must strengthen our opposition to Taiwanese independence ... and promote close exchanges and cooperation between compatriots on both sides,” he said.

It seems the anniversary bought some good tidings, will the two leaders make history by moving together for unification. That their names will make history for themselves and the Chinese people prior to their retirement from politic.

Time is now short for both, as Hu jintao may be due to leave office from next year , and Ma Ying-jeou is to face President re-election soon.









The Xinhai Revolution or Hsinhai Revolution (辛亥革命), also known as the Revolution of 1911 or the Chinese Revolution, was a revolution that overthrew China's last imperial dynasty, the Qing (1644-1912), and established the Republic of China. The revolution consist of many revolts and uprisings. The turning point is the Wuchang Uprising on October 10, 1911 that was a result of the mishandling of the Railway Protection Movement. The revolution ended with the abdication of the "Last Emperor" Puyi on February 12, 1912, that marked the end of over 2,000 years of Imperial China and the beginning of China's Republican era.　The revolution name "Xinhai" is named after the sexagenary cycle of the Chinese calendar.

In general the revolution was a reaction to the declining Qing state and its inability to reform and modernize China to confront the challenges posed by foreign powers and reverse domestic decline, and the majority Han Chinese's resentment of the ruling Manchu minority. Many underground anti-Qing groups with the support of Chinese revolutionaries in exile have tried to overthrow the Qing. The brief civil war that ensued was ended through a political compromise between Yuan Shikai, the late Qing military strongman, and Sun Yat-sen, the leader of the Tongmenghui (United League). After the Qing court transferred power to the newly-founded republic, the formation of a provisional coalition government was created along with the National Assembly. Though political power of the new national government in Beijing was soon thereafter monopolized by Yuan and leading to decades of political division and warlordism, including several attempts at imperial restoration.

Today, both the Republic of China on Taiwan and the People's Republic of China on the mainland consider themselves to be successors to the Xinhai Revolution and continue to pay homage to the ideals of the revolution including nationalism, republicanism, modernization of China and the national unity. October 10 is commemorated in Taiwan as Double Ten Day, the National Day of the Republic of China. In mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, the same day is usually celebrated as the Anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution. Many overseas Chinese also celebrate the anniversary in Chinatowns across the world.

“For us, China’s Xinhai Revolution is still not dead history, it still has a strong resonance with present-day realities,” said Lei Yi, a historian at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing. “A key lesson of the revolution is that the country’s fate depends on whether the rulers make the right choices about advancing reforms. Above all, there’s still the issue that a modern China needs a modern form of government — constitutional government.”

Remembering Xinhai Revolution in 1911, the revolutionists who lost their lives for the sake of the future of the China, will they be happy at the situation in the strait today?

Will they be happy to see the strait relationship been manipulated by the foreign power to gain political and economic benefits at the expense of the Chinese people?...

Will the mainland China prepare for a political reform to change to constitutional government system?.

The time is right now for unification,and is right time for reformation.

Are they bold and ready to make the first step?......