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SCMP Reporter

Lily Sun Sui-fong, 61, can lay claim to one of the most famous grandfathers in the world: Dr Sun Yat-sen.

 Ms Sun, 61, never met the man dubbed 'the founding father of modern China' but wrote a book about her hero and ancestor in 1995. She moved from Hong Kong to Hawaii two years ago, but is back to promote her paternal grandfather's teachings.

 She is one of Dr Sun's six grandchildren and has two sons, one in Hong Kong and one in Honolulu.

 Today is the 73rd anniversary of Dr Sun's death. Ms Sun will talk today at the Kwang Hwa Information and Culture Centre at One Pacific Place.

What's on your mind?  People are not learning enough about my grandfather. They're not really teaching his principles in the mainland and Hong Kong.

 He's the best role model for China, the best national hero.

 On the mainland, people are focused on making money, but that's shortsighted.

 My grandfather's teachings still apply to China. He really cared about equality and universal love. He also emphasised education as a foundation to develop a nation.

What was it like growing up as the granddaughter of Dr Sun?  It was very difficult. I did not meet my father until I was 30 years old. My father left my mother when she was expecting me. In the past, they all wanted to reject me as the granddaughter of Dr Sun Yat-sen.

How old were you when you first learned you were Dr Sun's granddaughter?  My mother always told me that Dr Sun Yat-sen was my grandfather. I knew, even at the age of five, that he was a great man. When I got first place in my school grades, my mother always said: 'You're the granddaughter of Sun Yat-sen, who else would get first place?'  I began collecting photographs of my grandfather when I was nine years old. Now I have more than 600 of him. I hope to eventually publish a book of the photographs.

Why did you give up a career as an architect and interior designer to focus on your grandfather?  In 1981 I had two encounters with Grandfather in dreams. He told me to pass on his Three Principles to Deng Xiaoping.

 In his life, people thought Grandfather was a dreamer, but his ideas were very practical. He called for educating the people and building a railroad so that everyone would prosper. China's economic reform is all part of Grandfather's dream.



Granddaughter promotes Dr Sun's undying dream