Won Alexander Cumyow [Wen Jinyou] the First Chinese Born in Canada

Won Cumyow was deeply involved in the causes of the local community and the politics of China. He was the English language secretary of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Victoria, an organization that was established in 1884 to look after the welfare of the Chinese in Canada.
As well, in 1899 he was a founder of the Vancouver chapter of the Empire Reform Association [Chungkwok Weisun Wui; Zhongguo Weixin Hui], an association formed to advocate modernization of China through progressive reform. It held its meetings in the Sing Kew Theatre on Shanghai Alley. Both in his community involvement and profession, he performed the important role of interpreting between the Chinese and the white communities, bridging understanding between the two through language.

With many opportunities to speak for the community, he revealed to the Royal Commission of 1901 the loneliness of many Chinese men in Vancouver.
"A large proportion of them would bring their families here" he said, "were it not for the unfriendly reception... which creates an unsettled feeling."

For the political cause in China, he announced to the Vancouver press at the height of the Boxer Movement in China in 1900 that his group was ready to send Overseas Chinese troops to accompany foreign forces to release the missionaries and diplomats besieged by the anti-Western Boxers and also to rescue the Chinese Emperor from the Empress Dowager.

1896
Renowned Chinese statesman, Li Hongzhang [Li Hung Chang] visits Vancouver - the first major Chinese political figure to visit Canada. He is welcomed by a crowd of 6,000 from the Vancouver and other Chinese communities and confers with the Vancouver Board of Trade.

1897
Revolutionary leader Dr. Sun Yat-Sen [Sun Zhongshan] pays his first visit to Canada to seek overseas support.

1898
Sing Kew Dramatic Society builds a 500-seat theatre at 544 Shanghai Alley: Sing Kew Theatre [Xingqiao Juyuan].

1899
Famous scholar and Empire Reform Association founder, Kang Youwei [Hong Yao Wai] visits Vancouver and establishes a branch of that association, which flourishes from 1899 to 1911.

1901
According to some estimates Vancouver Chinese population rises to 2,840.

1902
Empire Reform Association holds meetings in Sing Kew theatre, frequently inviting Caucasian guest speakers, with Won Alexander Cumyow acting as interpreter.
Head Tax on Chinese immigrants is raised to $100.

1903
Empire Reform Association opens a new three-storey building on Carrall Street. The building also opens at the back onto Shanghai Alley. The general public is invited to inspect the building during the Chinese New Year celebration.

The building also houses the Oikwok Hoktong [Aiguo Xuetang], or Patriotic School, the first recorded Chinese school in the city.

Famous scholar and reformer, Liang Qichao [Leung Kai Chiu] visits Empire Reform Association. He is the Guest of Honour at a dinner attended by business and political leaders from B.C. and nearby Washington State.

CHINESE REFORM GAZETTE [YAT SUN BO: RI XIN ] , a Chinese-language newspaper, is published by the Empire Reform Association at 530 Shanghai Alley (until 1911).
Head Tax is raised to $500.

1904
Kang Youwei visits Vancouver again to seek overseas support. He is interviewed at Hotel Vancouver and entertained by a group that includes Japanese and American consuls and other non-Chinese.

Dupont Street is renamed Pender Street.

Chinese businessmen, led by Wing Sang Company, develop Canton Alley at a cost of $50,000.

1905
There are 27 Chinese businesses on Canton Alley, including 11 merchandise and grocery stores, 5 tailor shops, 3 restaurants, 3 barber shops, and other businesses.
A group of Chinese businessmen asks the City's Board of Works to pave Shanghai Alley.

1906
Shanghai Alley is listed in the City Directory for the first time - as "Shanghai Street."
Non-Chinese prostitutes move en masse to Shanghai Alley and Canton Alley after City Council directs their eviction from their former location. After the Chinese Board of Trade petitions and protests, the restricted area later moves to another location.