Renowned physicist Chen Ning Yang, a Nobel laureate and giant of modern physics, died in Beijing on Saturday at age 103. His century-spanning life bridged continents and transformed our understanding of fundamental forces.
Born in 1922 in Hefei in the eastern region of the Chinese mainland, Yang moved to the United States in the 1940s to pursue higher education and research. His breakthrough came in 1957 when he and Robert Mills received the Nobel Prize in Physics for the Yang-Mills gauge theory, regarded as one of the most significant achievements of 20th century physics.
Yang-Mills theory provided a framework that researchers still rely on to explore the building blocks of the universe.
After more than two decades abroad, Yang returned to the Chinese mainland to teach at Tsinghua University. Over the next 20 years, he mentored a generation of scientists, promoted international academic exchanges, and helped build bridges between research communities across borders.
Beyond equations and lectures, Chen Ning Yang left a legacy of curiosity and collaboration. His life story inspires young scholars, entrepreneurs, and changemakers around the world to push the boundaries of knowledge and work together for a better future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
