While in London,

Sun received an unexpected boost

to his efforts of eliciting help for his cause.

While on his way there, in 1896,

he was kidnapped and held

in the Chinese (Qing) Embassy.

He managed to sneak a message to a friend

who talked to the press.

This created an embarrassing situation

for the Chinese government,

which consequently, released Sun.

The Chinese portrayed Sun as insane or as an idiot.

This incident, along with a popular book

that he wrote about the experience,

magnified his reputation internationally.

In Japan, shortly after,

he was welcomed as an international celebrity.

In order to carry out a successful revolution,

he realized that his agenda required

the support of intellectuals.

To enroll the support of the latter,

he needed a well thought-out plan or theory.

From this realization,

the doctrine of The Three Principles

of the People was disclosed.

The three were nationalism, democracy,

and the people's livelihood.

Nationalism was interpreted initially

to mean antiManchu,

while democracy meant a republican form of government.

The people's livelihood was perceived

as state ownership of property.

This would be the solution

to avoid the problemsof economic inequalities

experienced in the west.

Given his knowledge of the west's experience,

Sun saw this approach

for China as more practical and reliable.

His plan for revolution suggested three stages:

military rule, political tutelage,

and constitutional government.

He saw that military rule

was needed for a period of time

to rid China of lingering corruption

from the Qing period,

and to create an environment of stability

to create the new Chinese society.

Political tutelage guardianship,

for perhaps three years,

was needed to gradually develop a stronger,

more permanent political system,

and to acclimatize the Chinese people

to these political changes.

After six years, China might be ready for

a permanent constitutional republican government.

He sincerely hoped that

his plan would permeate China

with widespread acceptance.

In 1905, while in Japan,

Sun was instrumental in setting up

the United League of China.

The Wuchang (Wuhan) Revolt,

in October of 1911,

brought Sun Yat-sen to Shanghai.

Shortly after the successful overthrow

of the Qing Dynasty,

Sun was elected Interim President

of the new Republic of China

in Nanking, the capital.

This government immediately set out

to develop a provisional(temporary) constitution.

However, by February of 1912,

Sun resigned as president to give way

to Yuan Shikai,

who brought with him

a lot of support from the north,

which provided the opportunity

to unify greater parts of China.

Also in 1912, the United League of China

set up the Kuomingtang (KMT),

the National Party of China.

Yuan Shikai, in the meantime

betrayed the republic and Sun's trust,

by attempting to set himself up as a dictator.

Sun immediately proceeded in pursuit of Yuan

but was unsuccessful and

had to go into exile in Japan.

In 1924, the Kuomingtang convened

at Guangzhou to establish three principles

to solidify and strengthen the republic

and to unify the rest of China.

These principles included

developing an alliance with Russia,

helping farmers, workers, and bourgeoisie,

and recommending a national conference

to end the brutal, unequal treaties

imposed by foreign nations.

The result was “the Declaration of Beijing”,

the last official act of Dr. Sun Yat-sen

before liver cancer took his life

in March of 1925.

Sun Yat-sen was widely mourned

as tributes came in from all over.

Many intellectuals saw Sun as a man of action,

a pragmatist, and not as a great intellectual.

Throughout his life,

he was not above contradicting his own principles,

or tolerating opposing views

or parties to further his cause.

For Sun, during these turbulent times,

the end sometimes did seem to justify the means.

His philosophy changed, over time,

to meet changing needs.

For many academics, Sun's career

was not seen as the making of a myth,

but as a real man

dealing with real complex realities of his time.

His presence, inside and outside of China,

dominated Chinese history during the late 19th

and early 20th centuries.

He adopted and tailored western ideas

to the Chinese experience,

in order to create his vision of a new China.

Many academics also felt that

Sun's western experiences greatly influenced his work

and contributed to his predominant place

in Chinese and world history.

Before he died, he stated that

the whole nation had to be awakened

and united with those

who treated them equally,

and fight side by side with them.

Sun Yat-sen had received the respect

of people throughout the world,

even from non-communist sources.

In China, he became a legend.

When the Kuomingtang and

the Communists split in 1927,

both claimed to be heirs of his work.

No one can deny Sun Yat-sen his rightful place,

not only in Chinese history

but also in world history.

He truly deserves the title

and honour of Father of the Chinese Revolution.