In China, two heroes offer one lesson in public opinion

Name: Yuan Longping’s funeral draws large crowds as China mourns ‘father of hybrid rice’
Uploaded: 2021-05-25T10:41:44.000Z
Duration: 1 min 34 s
Description: Yuan Longping’s funeral draws large crowds as China mourns ‘father of hybrid rice’

In death, scientist Yuan Longping and doctor Li Wenliang ignited outpourings of emotion from people across the country

One case was mixed with anger but both highlight the pragmatism that shapes national sentiment

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For Chinese people, Yuan Longping was more than a scientist. Photo: Xinhua

Josephine Ma

Published: 6:41pm, 25 May 2021Updated: 11:02am, 26 May 2021

Although Yuan Longping was a respected scientist abroad, it may be hard for people outside China to understand the overwhelming emotions those in the country have towards his death.

For Chinese people, Yuan, who died aged 90 on Saturday, was more than a great scientist. He is a symbol of how the country was lifted from a long history of hunger.

His death prompted a flood of tributes across the country, an outpouring last seen in early 2020 after the death from Covid-19 of whistle-blowing doctor Li Wenliang.

In Li’s case the emotions were mixed with anger, with a deluge of outrage expressed online before the censors moved in.

But both instances are important in understanding the forces that shape public opinion in China.

Although the public still sees Li as a hero, the anger over the government’s handling of the initial epidemic has abated as the disease has been brought under control.

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Yuan Longping’s funeral draws large crowds as China mourns ‘father of hybrid rice’