To what degree did Sun Yat-sen succeed in modernizing China?

Dr. Sun Yat-sen did not succeed in modernizing China
because the instability of the country was too great; and the task impossible. Dr. Sun
proclaimed a Democratic Republic following the abdication of the last Qing Emperor;
however China was saddled with unequal treaties with foreign nations which had been
forced upon it. These countries frequently interfered in Chinese affairs, and prevented
modernization; which would have not been in their best interest. It was anticipated that
the Versailles Treaty would increase Chinese sovereignty; but instead, it only increased
Japanese interference in Chinese affairs.  Sun had hoped to expel all foreigners and
institute universal suffrage, but the Communists infiltrated his party, and soon
controlled it. At his death, Chaing Kai-Shek briefly pushed back the Communists, but
they ultimately succeeded and took over the country.