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Sun Yat-sen, the great forerunner of China's Democratic Revolution and overthrowing China's feudal monarchy which lasted for at least 2000 years, is considered one of the Three Great Men in China's modern history.
Barack Obama, a super star in American political arena, is regarded as the strongest candidate for the next president. Both great figures are alumni of Punahou School and Sun studied there 89 years earlier than Obama did.
鈼員wo alumni of Punahou school
Recently, President Hu Bo of Zhongshan Federation of Literature and Art with the Zhongshan Friendship Delegation has visited the Punahou School in Hawaii, where Mr. Sun spent his overseas studying. He remarked the story of Mr. Sun. "In 1878, 12-year-old Sun with his mother came to Hawaii to live with his elder brother Sun Mei and studied in a local school. From 1879 to 1882, Sun Yat-sen studied in Iolani School in Hawaii; then he transferred to Punahou and studied there from 1882 to 1883"+
In Hobo's view, Sun's overseas experience expanded his horizon and increased his knowledge. More importantly, Sun mastered English so that he can read many Western books written in English. These foreign materials helped promoting his ideological formation. He said later, "Since then, realized the magic of vessel and Oarand the vastness of the ocean; Consequently emerged the determination of discovering Western Natural Science and the pursuit of world mysteries."
Zhao Xixiong, the vice-director of Zhongshan Overseas Chinese Affairs Bureau who shared the same journey with Hu Bo, recalls Punahou. Punahou is a school with a long history. An old campus where Sun had classes, a billing record of $50 tuition fee and a Students roster with the name of Sun Yat-sen remain well-preserved. The school established a special fund and the money were from the donated fund of Sun Yat-sen Foundation in Hawaii.
Obama was born in 1961 in Hawaii. He then lived in Indonesia with his mother. In 1971, 10-year old Obama came back to Hawaii. His mother sent him to Punahou, an elite private school in Hawaii. Obama transferred to the school in his fifth grade and studied there until his graduation in 1979.
Play "Sun Yat-sen card" to win the Chinese-American vote?
Recently, some media report that Obama spent five million dollars on election advertisements on NBC during the time of Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. U.S. Medias point out that it's the first time in the past 16 years that a presidential candidate spent such large amount of money on election advertisements.
Does Obama know Sun Yat-sen? Does he know that Sun was in America and the special Alumni relation they share? Does he know the overwhelming influence Sun brought to all the Chinese? Will he play this "Sun Yat-sen card" in his coming election to win the Chinese-American vote? So many interesting questions were asked during some telephone interviews with local citizens in Hawaii. Interviewees reveal that Obama once visited his high school friends in Punahou when he took his summer vacation in Hawaii.
Many interviewees also suppose that Obama should play this "Sun Yat-sen card" which will bring support from Chinese Americans; a group of people plays an increasing important role in today's American society.
Editor: Yan
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