Nobel Prize-winning physicist Chen Ning Yang, whose groundbreaking work reshaped modern physics, passed away in Beijing on October 18 at the age of 103. His death marks the end of an era for scientific communities across Asia and the world.
From Anhui to Global Acclaim
Born in 1922 in Hefei, Anhui Province, Yang's journey took him from the Chinese mainland to the forefront of international academia. After earning his PhD in the U.S. in 1948, he collaborated with physicist Tsung-Dao Lee to challenge fundamental assumptions in particle physics. Their 1957 Nobel Prize-winning work on parity violation laws revolutionized understanding of subatomic interactions.
Bridging East and West
While maintaining academic positions at U.S. institutions including Princeton University, Yang remained deeply connected to China's scientific development. He became a foreign academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1994, later renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2015 to become a full academician in Beijing.
A Lasting Impact
Yang's contributions extended beyond theoretical physics. He played pivotal roles in establishing Tsinghua University's Institute for Advanced Study and advised multiple generations of Chinese researchers. His death sparks reflections on Asia's growing influence in global scientific innovation, particularly in quantum physics and materials science.
