Professor Fang - a true scientist seeking and fighting for the truth

Professor Fang passed away on 2012-04-06.   A shining star that inspired and guided a large number of my generation has fallen, but his spirit will live on forever.

I entered the University of Science and Technology of China as my first choice with the determination to dedicate my life to science and technology while being a loyal communist like many of my generation.  I thought then that only the truth behind natural phenomena would require the effort, and often tremendous amount of effort to uncover.  As for social science, everything taught by the CCP was true, and all we needed to do was applying the CCP’s principles to the society.  Five years of immersing in an environment with ubiquitous zest for science and technology, unusual freedom by then Chinese standard in 1980s, and most importantly, outstanding professors like Fang, I started my journey of reverse-brainwashing.  I realized the need to uncover the truth goes far beyond science and technology.  Though I remained a believer of communism until June 1989, I realized many deceits and lies by the CCP, and developed the same inquisitive attitude toward social issue as for science and technology.  Professor Fang and other outstanding Chinese intellectuals undoubtedly played a very important role in our intellectual growth.  I do not remember exactly what I heard from Prof. Fang’s speeches, and more embarrassingly, I do not even remember the words that he wrote for the graduation book of our class (Class 86), but I remember the spirit – the spirit to freely questioning any “authority”, the spirit of seeking and telling the truth and only the truth.

Prof. Fang paid a heavy personal price for telling the truth.  He was purged during the Anti-Rightist Campaign, and jailed during the Cultural Revolution all because he was telling the truth and revealing lies.  He avoided a potentially heavy punishment by escaping to the US in 1989, but prohibited from returning to his motherland he cared for so much for the rest of his life. All of this adds to the inspiration that we draw from this giant.

The May 4th Movement in 1919 inspired a generation of Chinese to fight for a better China.  Many leaders of the movement have permanent positions in Chinese history.  The wakening movement in 80s that culminated to the June 4th Movement inspired another generation, my generation.  Prof. Fang, on of the leaders of the movement, will be remembered forever. The May 4th Movement asked Mr. Science and Mr. Democracy (i.e. Mr. S and Mr. D) to save China. Mr. Science has obtained a prominent position in China now, but Mr. Democracy is still prohibited.  Prof. Fang continued the spirit of the May 4th Movement as an outstanding scientist fighting for democracy.   I have no doubt that Mr. D will come to China in not very far future, and Mr. Fang, whose name is filtered in China currently, will be openly paid tribute to on the soil of his motherland.

I look forward to the day when I will see Prof. Fang’s statue on the campus of my alma mater.