Chinese community in Australia's Victoria marks Sun Yat-sen's 160th birth anniversary

MELBOURNE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Members of the Chinese community in Australia's state of Victoria gathered in Melbourne recently to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the birth of Sun Yat-sen, a pioneer of China's democratic revolution.

The event brought together nearly 100 people, including Chinese consular officials and local Chinese community representatives.

Chinese Consul-General in Melbourne Fang Xinwen paid tribute to Sun's historic contributions, encouraging the Chinese community to carry forward Sun's legacy by strengthening community ties, supporting China's reunification and development, and promoting friendship between China and Australia.

The Chinese community in Australia actively supported Sun during his revolutionary campaign, said Teresa Chung, president of the Melbourne Chinese Masonic Society, who also called for China's reunification.

Lev Lafayette, president of the Victorian branch of the Australia-China Friendship Society, said Sun is revered on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and that this could provide a point of unity.

Participants laid flowers in front of a bronze statue of Sun and visited a photographic exhibition on his ties with overseas Chinese.