Chinese vice-premier Han Zheng pays tribute to ‘loyal and noble patriot, author Louis Cha
- Recently deceased writer praised for his contribution to drafting Hong Kong’s Basic Law
China’s vice-premier Han Zheng has praised Hong Kong literary giant Louis Cha Leung-yung for promoting traditional Chinese culture with his works and supporting Beijing’s “one country, two systems” governing principle for Hong Kong.
Cha, 94, also known by his pen name Jin Yong, died in a Hong Kong hospital with friends and family at his bedside on Tuesday.
With well over 100 million copies of his books sold worldwide and countless adaptations, ranging from films to video games, Cha was universally regarded as the most influential Chinese novelist of the 20th century. Cha also co-founded the Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao Daily News.
Beijing’s liaison office in the city said in a statement on Friday night that 13 current and former state leaders of China, including President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and Han, had mourned the passing of Cha. But the office only published Han’s letter of condolence to Cha’s family on Sunday.
In the letter, Han said: “Mr Cha was a famous writer and an outstanding newspaperman. He spent his life safeguarding and promoting Chinese traditional culture.”
