2024 Tang Prize Laureate in Sinology, Professor Hsu Cho-yun, passed away peacefully this morning (4th) in Pittsburgh, USA, at the age of 95. Upon learning the news, Chairman Yin Chung-yao and CEO Dr. Jenn-Chuan Chern of the Tang Prize Foundation expressed their deep shock and sorrow at the loss of a towering figure in the field of history, while also profoundly commemorating his lifelong contributions to the field of Sinology and the promotion of Chinese culture.
Professor Hsu Cho-yun was born on September 2, 1930. His illustrious academic career was distinguished by a deep insight into ancient Chinese history, seamlessly integrating an exploration of cultural and intellectual exchanges between China and the world. His research not only delved into the core issues of China's long-term history but also, in his comprehensive historical interpretations, emphasized cultural inclusivity and exchange, seeking to define China's position on the world stage. With his profound erudition and unwavering public spirit, his writings embodied the quintessential Sinologist, possessing both a deep historical sensibility and a broad, worldly vision. The Tang Prize awarded him the Sinology Prize last year (2024), in recognition of his academic eminence in the field of Chinese history.
A graduate of the National Taiwan University Department of History, where he also taught for over years and served as department director, Professor Hsu profoundly influenced Taiwanese historiography for over three decades. He was the first Tang Prize laureate with Republic of China nationality. On July 1 of last year, Dr. Chern traveled to Pittsburgh to "pre-award" the Tang Prize medal and diploma to Professor Hsu. Professor Hsu specially invited his wife, Sun Man-li, to join him for the photo and to share in the honor. Subsequently, he entrusted the entire NT$50 million (including the Tang Prize money and grant) to the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange to establish the "Hsu-Sun Scholarship" to encourage Sinology research, in the hope that Chinese culture can contribute to the development of world civilization. Dr. Chern particularly recalled how, despite his advanced age and physical limitations, Professor Hsu tirelessly shared his knowledge with future generations.
At the Tang Prize Award Ceremony held in Taipei on September 27, 2024, Professor Hsu delivered his acceptance speech via a pre-recorded video. He stated that while the other three Tang Prize categories were established to address the world's contemporary problems, the founder of the Tang Prize, Dr. Samuel Yin, and the selection committee envisioned the mission of the Sinology Prize as finding the past, present, and future position of Chinese civilization in world history and contributing to the world. This mission, he said, was perfectly consistent with his own life's work: dedicating the first half of his life to studying Chinese history and the second half to extracting wisdom from Chinese culture to help solve global issues.
The Tang Prize Foundation has produced a series of videos in honor of Professor Hsu, including a special documentary titled "A Sage of History: Wisdom Across the Ages," a Laureate Lecture titled "Finding Your Way in a Disorienting World," and the Master's Forum at National Taiwan University titled "Reorienting China: From the Continent to the Oceans" as part of the inspiring Tang Prize Week events. The Foundation hopes that through these videos, the public can once again appreciate Professor Hsu's insights and reflect on his extraordinary life.
About the Tang Prize
Since the advent of globalization, mankind has been able to enjoy the convenience brought forth by the advancement of human civilization and science. Yet a multitude of challenges, such as climate change, the emergence of new infectious diseases, wealth gap, and moral degradation, have surfaced along the way. Against this backdrop, Dr. Samuel Yin established the Tang Prize in December 2012. It consists of four award categories, namely Sustainable Development, Biopharmaceutical Science, Sinology, and Rule of Law. Every other year, four independent and professional selection committees, comprising many internationally renowned experts, scholars, and Nobel winners, choose Tang Prize winners from a pool of nominees who have influenced and made substantive contributions to the world, regardless of ethnicity, nationality or gender. A cash prize of NT$50 million (approx. US$1.7 million) is allocated to each category, with NT$10 million (approx. US$ 0.35 million) of it being a research grant intended to encourage professionals in every field to examine mankind’s most urgent needs in the 21st century, and become leading forces in the development of human society through their outstanding research outcomes and active civic engagement.
