A Defining Moment in Medical Controversy

In 1926, Beijing’s intellectual circles were shaken by an explosive article in the Morning Post. The celebrated poet Xu Zhimo launched a scathing attack on Peking Union Medical College Hospital, accusing its Western doctors of malpractice in treating a famous patient—none other than Liang Qichao himself. The case involved a kidney removal surgery that failed to stop Liang’s hematuria, fueling a nationwide debate about traditional Chinese medicine versus Western medical practices.

When defenders of Chinese medicine seized upon this incident to discredit Western medicine entirely, Liang demonstrated remarkable intellectual integrity. Publishing a thoughtful English-language defense titled “My Illness and PUMC Hospital,” later translated for Chinese readers, Liang insisted: “Though the hematuria persists, the prescribed medicine has significantly improved my condition.” His nuanced stance reflected his lifelong commitment to progress: “I earnestly hope society won’t use my case to generate reactionary arguments that obstruct China’s medical advancement.”

The Making of a Reformist Icon

Liang Qichao’s journey began in 1895 as a young protege of Kang Youwei during the waning years of the Qing Dynasty. Unlike his stubborn mentor whom historian Zheng Zhenduo described as “an immovable rock,” Liang proved fluid—adapting his methods while maintaining core principles. His early breakthrough came through media innovation during the Hundred Days’ Reform movement.

Recognizing that revolutionary ideas required clear communication, the 22-year-old Liang transformed obscure publications like China Progress and International Gazette into intellectual sensations. His prolific writing—sometimes composing entire articles during mahjong games—made complex Western concepts accessible. Circulation soared to 3,000 copies among Beijing’s elite, unprecedented for the era. Though the Qing government shuttered these publications, Liang’s reputation as China’s foremost public intellectual was cemented.

Political Evolution Through Turbulent Times

Liang’s political journey defies simple categorization. After the failed 1898 reforms, he fled to Japan where Sun Yat-sen nearly recruited him for the revolutionary camp—until Kang Youwei’s intervention. He later supported constitutional monarchy, contributed theoretical frameworks for Yuan Shikai’s imperial ambitions, then turned against Yuan by backing his student Cai E’s rebellion. This apparent ideological flexibility earned criticism, but Liang maintained: “What changes are my methods, not my patriotism.”

His most transformative contribution emerged during the 1912 transition from empire to republic. When radical factions advocated ethnic exclusivity (a “Han-only” China), Liang championed the revolutionary concept of “Zhonghua Minzu” (中华民族)—a unified Chinese nation encompassing Han, Manchu, Mongol, Tibetan and Muslim communities. His visionary framework prevented ethnic fragmentation during China’s most vulnerable moment, creating an enduring national identity.

The Media Pioneer Who Shaped Minds

Liang’s impact as China’s first modern media mogul cannot be overstated. His 1896 Current Affairs Journal became the nation’s most influential publication, with powerful patrons like Zhang Zhidong distributing 2,000 copies across Hubei alone. Through vivid essays like his 10,000-word “General Discussion on Reform,” Liang introduced over sixty Western philosophical and political concepts to Chinese readers.

Even after his 1917-1919 European travels tempered his Western idealism (recorded in Reflections on My European Journey), Liang continued evolving. He adopted vernacular Chinese writing to reach broader audiences—a transition praised by Hu Shi as “keeping pace with younger generations.” Though eventually overshadowed by May Fourth Movement leaders like Lu Xun, Liang’s educational initiatives at Tsinghua University nurtured China’s next intellectual wave.

Family Legacy: Raising Giants of Modern China

Perhaps Liang’s most profound legacy lies in his extraordinary parenting. His nine children became leaders across architecture, archaeology, rocketry and more—including three who achieved China’s highest academic honors:

– Liang Sicheng: Father of modern Chinese architecture
– Liang Siyong: Pioneer of Chinese archaeology
– Liang Sili: “Father of Chinese rocketry” who developed the Dongfeng missile

Their success stemmed from Liang’s enlightened approach captured in 400 surviving family letters. He blended classical Chinese education with global exposure, encouraging critical thinking over rote memorization. When advising his son Sicheng and future daughter-in-law Lin Huiyin during their University of Pennsylvania studies, Liang wrote: “Cohabitation before marriage isn’t advisable”—progressive counsel for 1920s China.

This cultural balance produced what John Fairbank later described as “the most deeply bicultural people I’ve known.” It empowered Liang Sili in 1949 to abandon a promising U.S. aerospace career (where classmates designed missiles targeting China) to build China’s defensive capabilities, declaring: “My missiles protect our homeland!”

The Enduring Relevance of Self-Reinvention

Liang’s 1921 memoir Evaluation of Qing Dynasty Academic Trends contained his defining philosophy: “I spare no effort in challenging my former self with my current self.” This ethos of intellectual evolution remains vital today as China navigates global integration.

Though constrained by his elite audience (his publications reached just 18,000 readers among 400 million citizens), Liang laid foundations for China’s modern identity. His conceptual breakthroughs—from “Chinese nation” theory to scientific skepticism—continue resonating. In an era of cultural polarization, Liang’s model of synthesizing traditions while embracing necessary change offers timeless wisdom.

The Morning Post (晨报): Established in 1916 as Morning Bell Post, this influential Beijing-based newspaper circulated until 1945, providing a crucial platform for China’s intellectual debates during Liang’s lifetime.