Cheng Youshu
| |
|---|---|
| Native name |
成幼殊
|
| Born | 1924 (1924) Beijing, China |
| Died | 5 May 2021 (aged 96–97) Beijing, China |
| Pen name | Jin Sha (金沙) |
| Occupation | Diplomat, poet |
| Language | Chinese, English, Danish |
| Alma mater | Saint John's University, Shanghai |
| Period | 1937–2022 |
| Genre | Poetry |
| Notable works | The Surviving Rice Nb – Some Memories of Niels Henrik David Bohr |
| Notable awards | The Surviving Rice 2005 3rd Lu Xun Literary Prize |
| Spouse |
Chen Luzhi (m. 1948) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Father: Cheng Shewo sister: Cheng Zhifan brother: Cheng Siwei half-sister: Lucie Cheng half-sister: Cheng Chia-lin |
Cheng Youshu (Chinese: 成幼殊; pinyin: Chéng Yòushū; 1924 – 5 May 2021[1]) was a Chinese diplomat and poet. Cheng was fluent in English and Danish.[2]
Cheng was born in Beijing in 1924, with her ancestral hometowninXiangxiang, Hunan.[2] Her father Cheng Shewo was a newspaperman. She is the second of five children.[2] Her sister, Cheng Zhifan (Chinese: 成之凡) (born in 1928), is French Chinese.[2] Her brother Cheng Siwei is a Chinese politician.[2][3][4][5]
Cheng Youshu began writing poems at the age of 13. After high school, Cheng was accepted into Saint John's University, Shanghai, where she joined the Wenhui Fellowship—a Christian Fellowship.[2][3][4]
In 1945, Cheng and her schoolmate founded the Yehuo Poetry Club (Chinese: 野火诗社).[2] In May 1945, Cheng joined the Chinese Communist Party, and served in the New Fourth ArmyinShanghai.[2]
In 1948, Cheng went to Hong Kong to work as a reporter.[2] While in Hong Kong, Cheng met her future husband, Chen Luzhi.[2] Cheng married Chen (Chinese: 陈鲁直) in Hong Kong. They have four children.[2]
In October 1949, Cheng moved in Guangzhou, her father went to Taiwan with Kuomintang.[2]
After the founding of the Communist State, Cheng worked in the Chinese Foreign Ministry.[2] From 1955 to 1961, Cheng worked in India as a diplomat.[2] In 1984, Cheng went to Denmark with her husband when he served as China's Ambassador to Denmark.[2]
Cheng died in Beijing on 5 May 2021.[6]
