Contemporary literature master Ba Jin dies at 101 (Xinhua) Updated: 2005-10-18 08:36 Ba Jin, one of China's
leading exponents of contemporary literature, died in Shanghai 7:06 pm Monday
after a six-year battle with malignant mesothelium cell tumor and other
diseases. He was 101.
Ba Jin died in Shanghai yesterday
afternoon. He was 101. [baidu] | Ba, a native
of Chengdu, southwestern Sichuan Province, was recognized widely as one of
China's greatest literary masters and an outstanding publisher and editor.
Ba went to study in France in 1926 and completed his first novel
"Destruction" there. He wrote numerous books, including novels, short stories,
and essays, totaling some six million words.
Ba's main works, including "Family," "Spring," "Autumn," "The Trilogy of
Love," "A Dream of Sea," "Autumn in Spring," were viewed as landmarks of modern
Chinese culture.
Ba's real name was Li Fugan. He chose the pen name "Ba Jin" in memory of
Baranpo, one of his schoolmates in France who committed suicide because he
detested the world and its ways, whereas the word "Jin" was proposed by his
Russian schoolmate studying philosophy.
Ba was elected a deputy to the 1st through the 5th National People's
Congresses (NPC) and a member of the Standing Committee of the 5th NPC and vice
chairman of the 6th, 7th and 8th National Committees of the Ninth the Chinese
People's Political Consultative Conference.
One of the asteroids found by Chinese scientists was named after Ba, who was
also chairman of the Chinese Writers' Association. In 2003, the State Council
awarded him the title of "People's Writer."
|