On October 20th, Chinese prominent dissident Wang Dan announced on Facebook that his father had passed away. Wang Dan’s father, Wang Xian, who was 90 years old, suffered a sudden heart attack on the night of October 19th and passed away in the early hours of October 20th. Wang Dan expressed that his father’s departure was sudden and peaceful, without much suffering.
Wang Xian, Wang Dan’s father, was a prominent figure in the field of pollen and palynology. He devoted his career to teaching at Peking University’s geology department, serving as a board member of the Chinese Society of Palynology and a member of the International Federation of Palynological Societies.
In his tribute, Wang Dan mentioned that his father dedicated his life to the study of palynology and nutrition, showing little interest in social and political issues. However, he unwaveringly supported Wang Dan’s political choices. Wang Dan shared stories of his parents’ unwavering support during his times of imprisonment in China and exile abroad.
Wang Dan expressed his deep gratitude for his father’s silent yet profound support, describing him as his strongest pillar. Despite his father’s reserved nature, Wang Dan acknowledged the immense impact his support had on his life and activism. He lamented not being able to be by his parents’ side during their final moments, citing it as one of the greatest regrets of his life.
Reflecting on his parents’ understanding and unconditional support, Wang Dan remarked on the depth of their love and sacrifice. He considered himself fortunate to have such dedicated parents who stood by him through the challenges he faced as a dissident and activist.
Wang Dan, known for his role as a student leader during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, was later arrested by the Chinese authorities and spent time in prison before going into exile in the United States in 1998.