Yang Chen-ning, a towering figure in physics and the first Chinese recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics, passed away on Oct. 18 at the age of 103. Reflecting on his extraordinary life, Yang shared a special connection with Hong Kong that spanned nearly a century, particularly with The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where he had a profound and lasting relationship.
1964: A sensational lecture in HK that captivated the entire city
During the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Yang and his family fled from Tsinghua Garden in Beijing to Hefei, then Hankou, passing through HK and Vietnam before finally reaching Kunming amidst the chaos of war. Yang rarely spoke of his impressions of HK during that time, as he was just 15 years old and escaping with his parents under desperate circumstances.
Yang returned to HK 27 years later, in 1964, to reunite with his parents. Although he had previously met his parents in Geneva, arranging passports for them there had proven troublesome. The distance was also considerable, and the journey tedious, especially as his aging father was in poor health. Yang also deeply missed his younger siblings, whom he had not seen for years. With these thoughts in mind, Yang sought help from Dr. Li Choh-Ming, the founding Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, to arrange for his family in the Mainland to visit HK.
Li, understanding the complexity of the situation, worked tirelessly to secure permits, navigating the intricacies of relations involving the UK, the US, and Taiwan. Eventually, by inviting Yang to deliver a lecture in HK, Li successfully arranged for Yang's family to reunite in the city. At that time, CUHK had just been established for one year, marking the beginning of a long and deep connection between the university and Yang.
On Dec. 19, 1964, Yang's parents, along with his younger siblings, crossed the Lo Wu Bridge by train from Shenzhen to arrive at the Kowloon Station in HK. Yang, who had arrived in HK earlier, was finally reunited with his long-separated family. The moment was particularly emotional for Yang and his siblings, as they had been apart for 19 years since they last saw each other in Kunming in 1945. While they were children back then, they were now all grown up.
Although Yang's visit to HK was kept confidential, the news leaked to the media. Reports of the family reunion quickly became headline news.
On the afternoon of Dec. 30, at 4 p.m., Yang delivered a lecture titled "Understanding Modern High-Energy Physics" at the newly constructed HK City Hall Concert Hall. The event created a sensation in the city. A Ta Kung Pao report on Dec. 31 stated: "Chinese physicist Yang Chen-ning delivered a public lecture yesterday. The City Hall was packed to capacity, while over a thousand people outside waited in vain to enter." Reporter Ye Zhongmin later recalled the scene in her book:
"Yang Chen-ning's visit was primarily to give an academic lecture at CUHK, titled "Understanding Modern High-Energy Physics." The lecture was held at HK's largest venue at the time, the City Hall Concert Hall, which could hold about a thousand people. The lecture was set to start at 4 p.m., but by 2 p.m., a long line had already formed, extending from the City Hall Garden out onto the sidewalks, circling the building. Many middle school and university students, teachers, office workers, and even elderly individuals came. Even though many could not understand the topic Yang intended to discuss, they wanted to see the first Chinese recipient of the Nobel Prize and share in the pride and joy he brought to Chinese people. In the end, over a thousand people were unable to enter."
This lecture profoundly influenced many HK students, inspiring a significant number of middle and university students to develop a passion for science, particularly physics.
1976: A packed lecture at CUHK: Even the aisles were filled
Twelve years later, in March 1976, Yang returned to HK during a trip to the Chinese Mainland to visit his family. While in HK, he accepted an invitation from CUHK's Department of Physics to deliver another lecture. By this time, the CUHK campus had grown significantly. The lecture, held in the Science Centre's L1 lecture hall, was standing-room only, with even the aisles filled with eager students.
Yang arrived in HK at 1:30 p.m. and gave his lecture on "Magnetic Monopole Quantization" at 4 p.m. The talk introduced his recent collaborative research with Wu Tai-tsun on the quantization of magnetic monopoles. Their findings revealed a close relationship between gauge fields and fiber bundles, a discovery that deeply surprised them.
The lecture attracted over 100 faculty members from higher education institutions across HK, alongside countless students. Yang's engaging and insightful presentation captivated the audience and received enthusiastic applause. At the end of the lecture, Professor Hsu Bay-sung, Chair of the CUHK Department of Physics, expressed gratitude on behalf of the university and attendees. Afterward, Yang participated in a discussion with representatives from the HK Federation of Students.
From the late 1970s to the 1980s, Yang frequently lectured at CUHK. On Jan. 21, 1982, he delivered a lecture titled "Symmetry and 20th-Century Physics," discussing various well-known symmetry phenomena in nature and physics. He eloquently traced how ancient understandings of symmetry evolved into the modern concept of "Symmetry Dictates Interaction." At the end of the lecture, Yang remarked:
"The symmetries derived from complex experiments possess profound simplicity and beauty. These developments have encouraged and inspired physicists, as they gradually come to understand the intricate yet marvelous laws of nature—laws that we can hope to comprehend."
On March 2, 1983, Yang delivered another noteworthy lecture, "Forty Years of Reading and Teaching," during CUHK's 20th-anniversary celebrations. He expressed his pride in the university, saying:
"I'm delighted to spend three months on this picturesque campus. CUHK is breathtaking on sunny days and poetic in rainy weather if viewed from the right angle. I'm especially pleased to participate in the academic activities celebrating the university's 20th anniversary. Though 20 years is a short time, CUHK has achieved remarkable accomplishments in many areas—a testament to the joint efforts of HK society, the CUHK Council, the Vice-Chancellor, administrators, faculty, and students. An old Chinese saying goes, 'It takes ten years to grow trees, but a hundred to rear people.' Cultivating talent is a challenging task, yet CUHK has produced many outstanding individuals in just 20 years. This is something to be proud of."
A loving son: Shopping with his mother in Shatin
Starting in the 1980s, Yang spent nearly three months each year working at CUHK, residing in staff quarters with his office in the Science Centre. He often brought his mother to HK to enjoy time together in her later years. The two were frequently seen shopping at a mall near Shatin Station, where locals could witness the Nobel laureate's warm devotion to his mother—a heartwarming sight that inspired admiration among the elderly.
On one occasion, Yang and his mother stopped by a photo studio to take a long-overdue portrait together. The studio owner, upon realizing that his clients included the famous Nobel laureate, was thrilled and determined to capture the perfect shot. The resulting photo, featuring Yang's mother looking slightly nervous and Yang beaming with happiness and contentment, became a treasured image. The studio later displayed the portrait prominently, significantly boosting its business for a time.
Declining an honorary degree until after HK's return to the motherland
In 1983, Yang became an honorary professor at CUHK, and in 1986, he was named the Distinguished Professor. Over the years, he delivered numerous public and specialized lectures at CUHK.
CUHK had long wished to confer an honorary doctorate on Yang, but he declined until 1997. Before HK's return to the motherland, the ceremony followed British traditions, requiring recipients to bow before the Chancellor, who would tap their head with a ceremonial wooden stick. Yang refused to bow to a British official. However, after the HK's return to the motherland, when the Chancellor became Chinese, Yang happily accepted the honor in 1997 despite having recently undergone heart bypass surgery. His decision reflected his deep patriotism.
In 1998, Yang made a significant donation to CUHK, including decades of documents, correspondence, manuscripts, and awards, including his Nobel Prize medal. This collection formed the "Yang Chen-ning Archive," a treasure trove of scientific history.
In December 1999, Yang expressed optimism about HK's future, emphasizing the importance of youth in the 21st century and urging young people to seize opportunities in the rapidly advancing world of science and technology.
In July and August 2000, Yang attended the Third Joint Meeting of Chinese Physicists Worldwide in HK. He reiterated HK's potential to develop world-class physics, highlighting the city's wisdom and its ability to attract top talents. However, he stressed the need for swift and decisive action to recruit talent across all fields to keep pace with the global technological revolution.
(English Editor: Zoey SUN)
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Yang Chen-ning, Nobel Prize-winning physicist, passes away at 103
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