The former residence of Sun Yat-sen in Zhongshan's Cuiheng village received a special group of visitors on October 26. Beneath the century-old tamarind tree that Sun planted himself, his great-nephew Victor Sun, 88, told Joseph Afong, Chun Afong's great-great-grandson, who came from afar, about the friendship between the two families that has lasted more than a century.

Both the Afong and Sun families trace their roots to Xiangshan in Guangdong and grew close through the overseas Chinese network in Honolulu in the United States. Toney Afong, Chun Afong's son, attended the same school as Sun Yat-sen. "It is a rare privilege to meet Mr Victor Sun in the year marking the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth. Hearing him recount the history of our two families feels especially warm," said 73-year-old Joseph Afong.

▲ Inside the Museum of Dr Sun Yat-sen, Victor Sun (second from left) explains the exhibits to Joseph Afong (third from left).

▲ Joseph Afong and his family visit the Museum of Dr Sun Yat-sen.

▲ Joseph Afong and his family show keen interest in the Lingnan folk customs on display in Cuiheng village.

▲ Under the tamarind tree, Victor Sun tells Joseph Afong about the ties between the two families.

▲ October 25: Joseph Afong's family visits the former residence of Chun Afong in Zhuhai with Victor Sun.

▲ Joseph Afong and his family stroll along a tree-lined road at the former residence of Chun Afong in Zhuhai.

▲ Joseph Afong's wife photographs the family tree on display at the former residence of Chun Afong. (Photos by Ming Jian and Luo Yanghong)