The Eight Sages of Meizhou were built in 1989 when the Great Hall of the People in Meizhou was completed. Mr. Yao Meiliang, a Meizhou-born industrialist living in Hong Kong, donated money to erected bronze statues of eight modern sages selected from seven counties and one district of Meizhou. In the Meizhou General Assembly Hall, he will be commemorated forever and for future generations to pay their respects.
These eight sages are outstanding representatives of the Hakka people in Meizhou and the pride of every Chinese.
The Eight Sages of Meizhou are distributed in various fields such as culture, education, politics, diplomacy, industry, sports, etc. The biggest thing they have in common is that they are all full of patriotism.
In order of birth, they are:
Song Xiang (1756-1826), a native of Meixian County, a Jinshi in Jiaqing of the Qing Dynasty, a famous poet and calligrapher.
Ding Richang (1823--1882), a native of Fengshun, was the governor of Jiangsu and Fujian in the late Qing Dynasty and a pioneer of the modern Westernization Movement.
Huang Zunxian (1848--1905), a native of Meijiang District, was a patriotic poet in the late Qing Dynasty. He participated in the Reform Movement of 1898 and served as a diplomatic envoy for several times.
Yao Desheng (1859--1915), a native of Pingyuan, was a patriotic overseas Chinese leader and industrialist. Supported the Revolution of 1911 and was awarded the "First Class Jiahe Medal" by Sun Yat-sen.
Qiu Fengjia (1864--1912), a native of Jiaoling, a modern poet, educator in the late Qing Dynasty, and Taiwan's anti-Japanese leader.
Zhang Bishi (1841--1916), a native of Dabu, was a famous overseas Chinese leader, industrialist, and founder of Changyu Winery. Served as Consul General of Singapore.
Luo Xianglin (1906--1978), a native of Xingning, a historian and the founder of Hakka studies.
Li Huitang (1905--1979), a five-year-old Chinese, football player, Asian football champion.