Professor Zhang Shaokang, former Head of Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, passed away in Beijing on 6 January 2026 at the age of 91. The senior management of HKSYU expressed gratitude for Professor Zhang’s contributions and extended condolences to his family.
A native of Zhejiang Province, Professor Zhang graduated from Shanghai High School in 1955 and was admitted to the Chinese Department at Peking University the same year. After receiving his degree in 1960, he remained at the university, serving successively as lecturer, associate professor, and professor. In September 2002, after leaving Peking University, he joined the Chinese Department at HKSYU, where he taught until his retirement in July 2017.
Specialising in the history of Chinese literary criticism and “Wen Xin Diao Long”（文心雕龍）, Professor Zhang is distinguished and noted in the field of theories of Chinese literature and critic thoughts in China and overseas.
Over the course of his career, he published around one hundred essays and twelve academic books, two of which were translated into Japanese and Korean. His scholarship laid an important foundation for research on Chinese literary theory and criticism in the modern era.
Alumni and members of the public who wish to express their condolences may send messages to editorial@hksyu.edu . Kindly use “In Loving Memory of Professor Zhang Shaokang” as the subject line, and include your name, department, and graduation year (if applicable). The University will compile and publish these tributes in the Shue Yan Newsletter and across its social media platforms.