“China’s Sakharov”, the astrophysicist known for the 1986 student protests and his 1989 refuge in the US embassy
An astrophysicist from Beijing, labelled a rightist in 1957 and later rehabilitated, he became vice-president of the University of Science and Technology of China. In 1986 lectures he openly questioned Marxism’s scientific authority and party leadership, was named the spiritual guide of that winter’s student protests, and in 1987 was expelled from the party — a pretext for Hu Yaobang’s fall. In January 1989 he wrote an open letter to Deng Xiaoping asking for Wei Jingsheng’s release; after the crackdown of 4 June he and his wife Li Shuxian took refuge in the US embassy for thirteen months before being allowed to leave. He taught at the University of Arizona and died in 2012.
Career Timeline
- 1984–1987Vice-President of the University of Science and Technology of China
Related historical events
- 1956–1957From the Hundred Flowers to the Anti-Rightist CampaignYoung physicist labelled a rightistLost his party membership as a rightist in 1957 and was later rehabilitated.
- 1976–1992Reform and opening: the Deng Xiaoping eraSpiritual guide of the 1986 student protestsHis lectures stirred the protests; expelled from the party in 1987.
- 1989The Tiananmen protests and the crackdown of 4 June 1989Initiator of the prisoner petition; refuge in the US embassySpent thirteen months in the embassy after the crackdown before leaving.