Weekend Long Read: Centennial Sojourn of Scholar Chi Pang-yuan

Chi Pang-yuan, a prominent scholar and writer who played a crucial role in promoting Taiwanese literature globally and introducing Western literature to Taiwan, passed away at the age of 100 on March 28 in Taoyuan [para. 1]. She is celebrated for her memoir "The Great Flowing River," which is highly regarded across the Taiwan Strait [para. 2].

Born in 1924 in Tieling, Liaoning during a tumultuous period marked by civil war and the Sino-Japanese conflict, Chi's early life was shaped by these events [para. 3]. Her family background was deeply rooted in resistance; her grandfather served under Manchurian warlord Zhang Zuolin, and her father was actively involved in defending Northeast China against Japanese forces [para. 4][para. 5].

Chi moved to Nanjing at six to join her father, who had founded several schools. This instilled in her the importance of education—a theme that would resonate throughout her life [para. 5]. In 1943, she attended Wuhan University, relocated to Sichuan due to wartime disruptions. After graduating with a degree in literature, she embarked on an illustrious career as an educator and translator at National Taiwan University and other institutions worldwide [para. 6].

Her professional journey included teaching positions across Taiwan and the United States, facilitated by two Fulbright scholarships. She also worked at the National Palace Museum in Taipei as an English secretary before rejoining National Taiwan University’s Department of Foreign Languages in 1977. During this period, she significantly contributed to academic circles through translations and textbook compilations [para. 7][para. 8][para. 9].

Chi married Luo Yu-chang in 1948 and settled in Taichung where she taught high school English. The couple had three sons. At 81 years old, Chi moved into a senior community in Taoyuan where she began writing her memoirs [para. 10]. The project was inspired by her brother's abandoned attempt to write their father's biography after facing political suppression in the U.S. during the 1980s [para. 11].

In "The Great Flowing River," published when Chi was around 85 years old after four-and-a-half years of work, she documented two generations' experiences amidst significant historical changes. The book received widespread acclaim for its deep historical insight and literary quality [para. 12][para. 13][para. 14]. It not only captured personal memories but also reflected broader cultural shifts from Northeast China to Taiwan.

Throughout her life, Chi held a profound belief that culture possesses greater dignity than power—a conviction influenced by her parents’ dedication during wartime China. Her works emphasized compassion over ideological divides prevalent during much of the 20th century [para. 15][para. 16][para. 17].

Chi’s legacy is marked by both her scholarly contributions and personal philosophy that advocated for principled scholarship over mere political engagement. Her writings encouraged Chinese intellectuals to develop calm judgment amidst complex national narratives and fostered a spirit of tolerance among younger generations [para. 18][para. 19].

As Tang Xiaobing notes, Chi’s centennial journey mirrored the enduring yet turbulent landscape of China throughout the century—her life embodied steadfast love akin to an eternal flame that illuminates without diminishing [para. 20].