Dr. Lin Guangzhi, a visiting scholar of the Centre for Macao Studies at the University of Macau (UM), who has engaged in the studies of Macaology for a long time, published a paper entitled “Chinese Merchants in Macao and Sun Yat-Sen’s Practicing Medicine & Revolutionary Activities”, in the prestigious Chinese journal Historical Research.
On the basis of abundant historical materials and solid arguments, the paper containing more than 25,000 words puts forward many new ideas, pushing the studies of “Sun Yat-sen and Macao” to a new level. The paper contributes considerably to the studies of Macaology in the following ways. First, from a new perspective, the paper studies the Chinese merchants in Macao and Sun, describes the whole process from Sun’s practicing medicine to his revolutionary activities, and reveals how Sun took advantage of the geographical factors to obtain the Chinese merchants’ support. Second, the paper re-examines the reasons for Sun’s leaving Macao. Dr. Lin states in his paper that besides the commonly-held reason—that Sun was ostracized by Portuguese doctors, there were other reasons responsible for Sun’s departure, including the jealousy harboured by those Chinese medicine practitioners in the Kiang Wu Hospital towards him, and his political disillusionment caused by the failure to obtain alliances from among the Chinese merchants for political activities. Third, the paper points out that after the Revolution of 1911, the new generation of Chinese merchants in Macao experienced a fundamental change in their political stance and began to support Sun’s cause and became Sun’s “enthusiastic comrades”. Last, the paper argues that Sun’s early activities in Macao directly furthered the spread of Western medicine, the modernization of Kiang Wu Hospital, as well as the opening and progress of the Chinese community in Macao.
Dr. Lin’s paper will have a positive effect on the studies of Macaology, and will increase UM’s academic influence in the field.
For enquiries, please contact Ms. Albee Lei at（853）8397 4325 or albeelei@um.edu.mo, or visit www.umac.mo.