Jao Tsung-i leaves a lifetime of work that we must learn from
As academia and the Chinese community mourn the revered sinologist, it would be well to bear in mind his motto: seek the truth, seek the standard and seek the justness
The death of Professor Jao Tsung-i is a great loss to academia and the Chinese community around the world. Revered as one of the most erudite sinologists of our era, the centenarian has left behind a lifetime of influence in a wide range of academic and artistic fields.
The outpouring of tributes underlines his contributions to humanities, in particular the study of Chinese history and culture.
Scholar Jao Tsung-i, the ‘pride of Hong Kong’, dies at age 100
His illustrious career and long list of achievements span East and West, including France’s prestigious Stanislas Julien award for sinology and the University of Hong Kong’s highest academic honour, the University Laureate.
Equally expansive were his areas of expertise. From oracle inscriptions to the manuscripts of Dunhuang, the Unesco-listed ancient Chinese grottos; from traditional Chinese paintings to calligraphies; musicology to literature, the breadth and depth of his knowledge in Chinese culture is probably unrivalled by anyone.
In recognition of his stature and contributions, there are various institutes named after the Chaozhou-born scholar on the mainland and in the city. His decision to make Hong Kong his home is not just testimony to our roots in Chinese culture, but also our ability to help connect one of the greatest civilisations with the world.
