New section of exhibition hall inside the former residence of Soong Ching Ling. (Photo:CRIENGLISH.com) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, May 30 -- Soong Ching Ling, Honorary Chairwoman of China and wife of revolutionist Sun Yat-sen, received another awe-inspiring tribute on Friday during the 21st joint annual conference of Sun Yat-sen and Soong Ching Ling memorials in Beijing.

    More than 80 representatives and distinguished guests from 39 memorial sites of the two legendary figures scattered across Asia, gathered in Madam Soong's refurbished former residence to pay homage to the beloved Chairwoman, exactly 28 years after her passing.

    A special new exhibition on her life that assembles valuable photos and precious historic relics was set up inside the residence to mark the 28th anniversary of her death. Many of the exhibits on display have been made public for the first time.

    The exhibition brings people closer to Soong's glorious achievements, from her teenaged years in pursuit of knowledge in the United States and standing side by side with Dr. Sun, to the waging of opposition against Japanese aggression and being devoted to building a peaceful and prosperous China following the liberation. The exhibition highlights her life-long dedication to Dr. Sun's revolutionary cause and her unswerving efforts in pursuing equality, freedom and welfare for the country.

Soong Ching Ling helped to arrange a large group of international fighters to join Chinese people's war against Japanese aggression.(Photo:CRIENGLISH.com) Photo Gallery>>>

    In addition to a large amount of photos, letters, manuscripts and pamphlets that illustrate Madame Soong's outstanding achievements, visitors can get a glimpse into her daily life through her dress, old passport, marriage certificate to Dr. Sun, wedding gifts from her mother and presents from Premier Zhou Enlai and those from children who adored her so much.

    To her supporters, Soong Ching Ling and Sun Yat-sen, the two great legendary figures, are still influential today.

    Cheng Nai-wen, director-general from the National Dr.Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei, shared his feeling after visiting the exhibition.

    "Sun Yat-sen and Soong Ching Ling, the two great historical figures, have wide recognition in the Chinese-language speaking world. We'd like to allow the younger generation to know about them."

    Cheng says they are making efforts to broaden their influence by making use of the internet, which they hope will appeal to young people.

    According to Mr Cheng, they have received 2.5 million visits in the first four months of this year, more than the total amount in 2007, as more and more people travel to the island from the mainland.

    Ms Goh Mai Loon is a representative of Sun Yat-sen's Penang Base in Malaysia. She came to Beijing for the joint conference. This is her third visit to Madame Soong's residence.

    "It is very impressive to see this, very well organized and more important archives and items have been displayed, and more photos to illustrate the important life of Madame Soong Ching Ling. It shows you a lot about her personality and her bravery and how she stood for China and the world." said Ms Goh.

    Mr Lee Peng Shu, the chairman of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, considers the thought-provoking exhibition a show of people's loyalty to the past. While demonstrating recognition of our own history, the historical artifacts allow people from different schools to have different reflections of their own.

Mr Lee Peng Shu visits the life exhibition of Soong Ching Ling in her former residence Friday morning, on May 29, 2009.(Photo:CRIENGLISH.com) Photo Gallery>>>

    He added that it also provides a good platform for people to learn lessons from history and plan for the future.

    A seminar in memory of Madam Soong and Dr. Sun Yat-sen was also held on Friday afternoon in which representatives from all the related memorials exchanged their works and ideas, with the intention of deepening co-operation between different sites and carrying on the noble cause of the two legendary figures.

    The refurbished former residence of Soong Ching Ling and new exhibition is scheduled to officially open to the public on June 1st.