During China's Cultural Revolution nearly two decades earlier, the prestigious national University of Science and Technology had been moved from Beijing to Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province in southeastern China. Also making that move was lecturer Fang Lizhi. He now laughs when recalling his colleagues' joking telephone calls earlier this year congratulating him, following his expulsion, on finally getting a transfer home.
Born in Beijing, Fang graduated from Beijing University in 1956 with a degree in theoretical physics. Two years later he joined the staff of the University of Science and Technology, first as a teaching assistant, later as a lecturer. He became director of the university's Center for Astrophysics in 1980 and was made university vice president in 1984.
Fang's academic activity virtually ceased between 1966 and 1972, when many Chinese intellectuals were sent to the countryside and their schools were closed during the Cultural Revolution. While part ...
