Huynh Thuc Khang (front, first from right) and members of the provisional Government appointed at the second session of the first National Assembly in November 1946 (File photo: VNA) Quang Nam (VNA) – A celebration of the 140th birth anniversary of Huynh Thuc Khang, who was Acting President of Vietnam in 1946, was held in his hometown, the central province of Quang Nam, on October 1.
Prior to the event, President Tran Dai Quang and other Party, State and provincial officials offered incense at the commemorative house dedicated to Khang in Tien Canh commune of Tien Phuoc district.
In his speech at the ceremony, President Quang reviewed the life of Khang, describing him as a prime example of patriotism and the fighting spirit for national independence and freedom.
Khang was born in the now Tien Canh commune on October 1, 1876.
In 1904, he and other famous intellectuals then such as Phan Chau Trinh, Tran Quy Cap and Luong Van Can launched the Duy Tan movement, which promoted patriotism among people and struggled to demand the colonial administration make reforms for the sake of people.
He was exiled to Con Dao Island by French colonialists in 1908 but continued patriotic activities after being released.
After the August Revolution in 1945 succeeded, then President Ho Chi Minh invited him to serve as Minister of Home Affairs in the provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, which is now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Khang was appointed Acting President in May 1946 when President Ho paid a visit to France. In this position, he consolidated the revolutionary administration while defeating sabotage plots of reactionary forces. He passed away on April 21, 1947 in Nghia Hanh district of central Quang Ngai province.
At the commemoration, President Quang also highlighted Khang’s contributions in terms of literature and history. The late patriot collected a number of historical evidence testifying to Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes, and used to affirm that “there are not any countries having as sufficient evidence as our nation.”
The State leader called for each official and Party member to follow Khang’s example and devote themselves to serving the Fatherland and people.-VNA
