Chinese Revolutionary Is Now Permanent Fixture At Columbus Park

CHINATOWN, NY — After nearly eight years in Columbus Park, the statue of an early 20th century Chinese revolutionary is now a permanent fixture in the park, city officials announced.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a revolutionary figure born in 1866 who helped overthrow the Qing Dynasty in the early 20th century, was formally honored at a ceremony Tuesday when his statue was made permanent and a plaza renamed after him.

"A statue in New York City is not just a statue," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in his remarks Tuesday. "It is a message to the whole world."

The permanency of the statue of Yat-sen "means upon generations and generations of young people in particular will see this statue, will see the name of the plaza, will ask the question, 'Who is this great man, what did he do?'"

This "will have a lasting impact," de Blasio added.

De Blasio joined Chinatown leaders and politicians for the formal unveiling of the statue, which has been standing in Columbus Park since 2011. The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association has provided some $100,000 for its maintenance and has worked to make it permanent for years, according to the association president Eric Ng.

Earlier this year, city officials announced the statue would be made permanent, pending final public design approvals.

Yat-sen was "no stranger to Chinatown," said Council Member Margaret Chin.

He spoke to the Ng's association in 1911 in the months leading up to the revolution, later becoming the first president of the Republic of China.

"With Chinatown being one of the oldest Chinese ethnic enclaves in the United States, today we are not just recognizing the importance of Chinese-American history, we are recognizing the critical role that Chinatown has played within the global history," Chin said. "Today we send the strong message that Chinatown is here to stay."

Flowers placed at the base of the statue honored the important figure in Chinese history for Yat-sen's birthday, which was Tuesday. The sculpture was first created by Taiwanese artist Lu Chun-Hsiung. Inscribed as its base is "all under heaven are equal," a Confucian motto, according to the Parks Department.

Watch the ceremony below:

Join Mayor de Blasio for the opening ceremony for a permanent statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen in Chinatown! https://t.co/PyHeFQGafe
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) November 12, 2019