Chan was born to a family of Christian scholars, and entered a private school at the age of 6. When he was young, he learned about western knowledge from the translated books brought by his uncle Chan Mung-nam (陳夢南), a Christian preacher.
With Sun's suggestion, Chan changed to study at Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese in January 1890. In Hong Kong, Sun introduced him to Yau Lit and Yeung Hok-ling. The four frequently met at Yeung Yiu Kee (楊耀記), Yeung's family shop at 24 Gough Street, to discuss a revolution against the Qing Dynasty, and were collectively called the Four Bandits by their neighbours. As Sun began his commitment to revolution upon graduation, Chan dropped out of the medical school to follow him.
In 1899, he returned to Hong Kong to reform the Chung-wo Tong (中和堂) founded by Yau Lit earlier. In 1900, he founded the China Daily to spread the idea of revolution. In 1905 he became the president of the Hong Kong Chinese Revolutionary Alliance. Upon the recommendation of Chan Siu-bak, Chan Po-yin joined in Hong Kong the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance in 1905 and went to Singapore in 1906 to help Mr. Chan Cho-nam (陳楚楠, 1884–1971) and Mr. Cheung Wing-fook (張永福, 1872-?) in starting the revolution-related Chong Shing Chinese Daily Newspaper (中興日報, 中興 meaning China revival), with the inaugural issue on 20 August 1907 and a daily distribution of 1000 copies. The newspaper ended in 1910, presumably due to the revolution in 1911. Working with other Cantonese people, the Singapore group opened the revolution-related Kai Ming Bookstore (開明書報社, 開明 meaning open wisdom[1]) in Singapore. For the revolution, Chan Po-yin raised over 30,000 yuan for the purchase and shipment (from Singapore to China) of military equipment and for the support of the expenses of people travelling from Singapore to China for revolutionary work.[2][3]
As Guangdong declared independence from Qing government shortly after the Wuchang Uprising in October 1911, Chan was appointed by the Guangdong military government as the foreign minister, until the Republic of China was established in Nanjing on 1 January 1912.
After the revolution
After resigning from the government, Chan founded the Yuethong Shipping Company (粵航公司) and regained several piers in Canton from foreign companies. Yuethong lasted until 1919.
When Sun Yat-sen established the Government in Canton in 1921, the Three Bandits were appointed as Sun's consultants and Chan also as the advisor at the base camp. In 1923 the Canton Government was forced to dissolve due to Chen Jiongming's rebellion, and Chan returned to develop Xinhui.
Death
In 1934, Chan was hospitalized due to illness. His condition deteriorated and was transferred to a German hospital in Beiping. The treatment failed and he died on 23 December 1934. His casket was escorted by the Nationalist representatives via the sea to Guangdong and was buried on the mountainside of Cha'an Temple in his hometown.[4]
