Lily Sun Sui-fong, 68, granddaughter of Sun Yat-sen, was in Hong Kong last month to give speeches at several schools about her grandfather's theories. Dr Sun, who lives in Hawaii, says it is still important for young people to study her grandfather's Three People's Principles - nationalism, democracy and people's livelihood.
It is difficult being a woman, but it is more difficult being the granddaughter of a great man. The unique status of being Sun Yat-sen's granddaughter has brought me sorrow and responsibility, ever since I was in Shanghai Shijie primary school in 1941.
My mother told me to behave as a model for my peers. So I studied hard and was always ranked first in my class. I was often afraid my grandfather would be sad if I didn't extend myself.
I participated in various patriotic activities, but I was rejected by the Communist League of China because of my family background. Despite scoring highest in my school in the college-entry exam, no university would accept me until Song Qingling, my grandfather's second wife, helped me get into Tongji University.
These experiences showed me one had to suffer because of the position granted to them by heaven, just as my grandfather endured 10 failed revolutions before success in 1911.
I studied architecture in university and got a doctorate in business management, which helped me become a successful property developer in Hawaii. But I gave up my career after Song's funeral in 1981.