A mention of China’s revolution in the late Qing period usually calls to mind Dr Sun Yat-sen, who is renowned for transforming the country from a monarchy to a republic. But many other figures played a key role in the reforms, including Yang Quyun, who was brought up in Hong Kong and formed a close association with Dr Sun.
Yang lies buried in the Hong Kong Cemetery in Happy Valley, where his headstone has a number on it, but no name. The Leisure & Cultural Services Department plans to set up an information plaque next to his grave, to introduce the deeds of the late Qing revolutionary.
In an interview with news.gov.hk, Antiquities Advisory Board member Dr Joseph Ting said Mr Yang was important in China’s revolutionary history and had close ties with Hong Kong.
He was brought up and educated in Hong Kong. He studied at St Paul’s College and joined David Sassons, Sons & Company after graduation.
Revolutionary career
As the Qing Government had become so corrupt and foreign powers had repeatedly defeated China, in 1892 Mr Yang and some friends formed the Furen Literary Society. It was the first organsiation in Hong Kong set up to discuss Mainland China affairs.
Dr Sun Yat-sen, who founded the revolutionary organisation Xing Zhong Hui, or Revive China Society, in Honolulu in 1895, returned to Hong Kong and met Mr Yang. They agreed to merge the Furen Literary Society with Xing Zhong Hui and Mr Yang became the president of Xing Zhong Hui in Hong Kong.
They organised the first, unsuccessful uprising in Guangzhou. Dr Sun fled to Japan after the failure, while Mr Yang fled to South Africa where he continued to disseminate revolutionary ideas.
In 1899, Mr Yang met Dr Sun again in Japan, and Dr Sun eventually took up the reins as president of Xing Zhong Hui. They organised a second uprising in Huizhou in 1900 but it, too, failed, and its instigators fled overseas. Mr Yang, though, insisted on staying on in Hong Kong and earned a living teaching English.
In 1901, someone believed to have been sent by the Qing government assassinated Mr Yang in Gage Street, Sheung Wan. He was buried in the Hong Kong Cemetery in Happy Valley, but his tombstone had only a number on it, not his name, for fear his enemies would desecrate it.
Historical importance
Dr Ting said Mr Yang is a prominent figure in the history of China’s reform, because he played an important role in the two uprisings in 1895 and 1900.
“He should be remembered by Hong Kong people because he was one of the early leaders of the revolutionary party and had a close relation with Hong Kong,” Dr Ting said.
Antiquities & Monuments Office’s Curator (Education & Publicity) Ada Yau said the information plaque, which will be set up beside Mr Yang’s tomb, is expected to be completed by the middle of this year.
“Information to be inscribed on the plaque includes his biography, his involvement in the revolution and his life in Hong Kong. We hope people can get a better understanding when they come to the cemetery to pay tribute to Mr Yang.”
The department will also publish a guide to help people locate the graves of Mr Yang and other historical figures buried at the Hong Kong Cemetery, so people can pay tribute to them.
