The two-day International Conference on the Centenary of China's 1911 Revolution launched Friday at Hong Kong's Museum of History.

The 1911 Revolution, also known as the Xinhai Revolution, was an epoch-making event that ended the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the last monarchy in China, after about 2,000 years of imperial rule in the country and marked the beginnings of modern China.

Speaking at the conference's opening ceremony, Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing said the staging of commemorative activities in Hong Kong during the centenary of the revolution imparts special meaning because Hong Kong played a pivotal role in the 1911 Revolution.

By reviewing history we will gain a better understanding of how we can contribute towards charting a course for China's revitalization, Tsang said.

The Hong Kong government has begun to collaborate with various sectors of the community to organize activities commemorating this remarkable event, such as large-scale exhibitions, conferences, creative competitions and historical study projects.