The national anthem of the Republic of China (ROC) originated from the motto of the Whampoa Military Academy in Guangdong province and was written by Sun Yat-sen. Starting from 1895, Sun vowed to overthrow the corrupt and incompetent Qing regime. After ten failed attempts, he finally succeeded in establishing the Republic of China (ROC), the first democratic government in East Asia on October 10, 1911.
In 1928, the ruling Kuomintang decided to adopt the motto of Whampao Military Academy in Guangzhou (China) as the lyrics for the KMT party song. The melody was selected from public submissions, with the winning composition from a Japan-educated musician, Cheng Mao-yun. In 1937, the ROC government stipulated that the KMT party song would serve as its national anthem.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the republic, which moved to Taiwan in 1949. The Government Information Office has produced four different melodies to liven up the 94-year old national anthem as a way of celebrating the ROC’s anniversary.
English translation of the ROC national anthem is as follows:
San Min Chu I (The Three Principles of the People)
Our aim shall be to establish a free land.
World peace be our stand.
Lead on, comrades, vanguards ye are.
Hold fast your aim, by sun and star.
Be earnest and brave, your country to save.
One heart, one soul, one mind, one goal!
Courtesy of the Government Information Office, Republic of China (Taiwan)