Yang Chen-Ning, a world-renowned physicist, Nobel Laureate and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, passed away in Beijing on October 18 at 103.

A file photo of Yang Chen-Ning (Image source: Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Yang was born in Hefei, Anhui province in 1922. In the 1940s, he went to the United States for further studies and subsequently held teaching positions. Together with his colleague Lee Tsung-Dao, Yang was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957. His work with Robert Mills on the “Yang-Mills theory” is regarded as one of the cornerstones of modern physics in the 20th century. Over more than 20 years since returning to China, Yang taught at Tsinghua University, where he made significant contributions to cultivating and attracting talents, as well as advancing international academic exchanges.

Yang’s scientific legacy extended its brilliance from Beijing’s Tsinghua Garden to the coastal shores of Hainan, serving as a source of inspiration for Hainan University, the nation’s southernmost Double First-Class university.

Yang Chen-Ning was appointed as Distinguished Professor at Hainan University on November 19, 2004. (Image source: Hainan University Archives Center)

On the afternoon of November 19, 2004, Yang visited Hainan University as a Distinguished Professor and delivered an academic lecture titled “Technological Innovation and the Growth of University Students”. He expressed his confidence that China’s scientific research capabilities would reach world-class standards within ten to twenty years. Reflecting on his own journey, Yang shared the story of how he chose physics as his lifelong pursuit and encouraged the younger generation to cherish the present opportunities and strive for excellence.

Yang Chen-Ning delivered a lecture at Hainan University Distinguished Speakers Forum on November 19, 2004. (Image source: Hainan University Archives Center)

In April 2005, Yang established the “Yang Chen-Ning Scholarship” to support financially challenged yet academically talented students. The scholarship granted 1,000 yuan each to 20 recipients, together with his encouraging words: “Learning reveals ignorance”.

Yang Chen-Ning’s words for students: “Learning reveals ignorance” (Image source: Hainan University Archives Center)