By 
David Choi (National Co-Chair, National Congress of Chinese Canadians)
As we commemorate the 160th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, I offer this message to young Canadians of Chinese heritage: honour his ideal that “the world belongs to all” and the resolve with which he dedicated himself to the common good. Cherish your cultural heritage and take an active part in its transmission. By studying Chinese language, history and traditions, sharing the stories of Chinese culture, and fostering dialogue across generations, you can help that heritage flourish anew within Canada’s multicultural society.
To inherit a culture is to understand its past and help shape its future. I encourage you to be firmly rooted in Canada and open to the world, confident in your heritage and respectful of the cultures of others. Foster understanding and cooperation across communities, and build bridges between Chinese culture and Canadian society. Together, contribute to the flourishing and renewal of Chinese culture in all its richness, bringing its finest traditions into contemporary life through preservation and innovation. In doing so, you will enrich Canada’s multicultural fabric and advance dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations.
To honour Dr. Sun Yat-sen is also to remember his enduring aspiration for national unity, solidarity and the well-being of the people. He observed: “With unification, all the people of the country will enjoy well-being; without it, they will suffer.” National division is a calamity; hostility and conflict among compatriots deepen wounds and diminish their shared welfare. May you draw upon history to understand the importance of unity, approach differences with reason and concern for the common good, support China’s peaceful reunification, and foster dialogue and mutual understanding between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Let respect for your cultural roots inspire practical efforts to preserve peace and advance their shared well-being.
Let integrity guide your character and the public good inform your actions. Respect the law, exercise self-discipline, uphold the rights of others, and take responsibility for your words and deeds. Participate actively in community life and public affairs, contributing to education, environmental stewardship, charitable work and social equity. Apply your knowledge and skills through volunteer service and social innovation. In schools, workplaces, communities and public institutions, speak with reason and act with purpose, helping to build a more inclusive, just and prosperous Canada.
As members of a rising generation helping to shape Canada’s future, you also have an important role in strengthening friendship between Canada and China. Through youth exchanges, cultural dialogue, educational cooperation and people-to-people ties, foster understanding and trust between the peoples of both countries. Let reason, sincerity and mutual respect guide these efforts. When differences or misunderstandings arise, think independently, challenge prejudice and discrimination, and pursue constructive dialogue and cooperation.
Carry forward the aspirations of those who came before you, and embrace the responsibilities of your own time. Connect your personal ambitions with the well-being of your communities, Canada’s future and the progress of humanity. Deepen your roots through cultural stewardship; strengthen your character through respect for the law and self-discipline; fulfil your civic responsibilities through active participation; and demonstrate your commitment to friendship through exchanges between Canada and China.
Let knowledge broaden your horizons, let a commitment to the common good bring you together, and let purposeful action shape the future. In this way, Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s ideal that “the world belongs to all” can live on through the convictions and contributions of a new generation.
