The preparatory office for the commemorations of the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth in 2026 convened its first plenary session in Beijing on Nov 12.

Wang Dongfeng, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and director of the preparatory office, presided over the meeting and delivered a speech.

Wang noted that the events are intended to commemorate Sun's immortal contributions to national independence, social progress and people's happiness, and to inherit his patriotic, revolutionary and enterprising spirit.

Wang stated that marking the 160th anniversary of the birth of Sun, a great patriot and a great forerunner of China's democratic revolution, under new historical conditions is of great importance in consolidating and developing the unity of the Chinese people both at home and abroad, and the broadest possible patriotic united front. It is also of historical significance in promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and China's reunification, and maximizing national strength to push forward the efforts to build a strong country and realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by advancing Chinese modernization, he said.