My Family

I am privileged to have grown up in a distinguished and patriotic family. I am especially proud of the senior members of the Fang clan who have dedicated their lives to contributing to our country and society and enriching the lives of others. Their example and teaching have helped to shape me as a person and laid the foundations of the values and principles that I live by.  I will always strive to live up to their expectations.

Grandfather
My grandfather General Fang Zhen-wu showed his love for our country by devoting his whole life to the defence of her territories. Joining Dr Sun Yat-sen’s China's Revoluntionary League, Tongmenghui （同盟會）, early in life, he played a part in history from the Xinhe Revolution to the Northern Expeditions, rising from the ranks as a brave soldier to become a mighty commander. At one point he sold all his possessions to fund the formation of a militia to fight against the Japanese. Later he joined forces with Generals Feng Yu-xiang and Ji Hong-chang at the front lines, fighting with great courage against the Japanese army. Sadly, his opposition to Chiang Kai-shek’s decision to compromise with the Japanese authorities, made him enemies amongst those in power and he was killed by an unidentified assassin while preparing for mission in Guangdong province.

Mr Fei Yi-min, the former head of Takungpao, once said in a reference to my grandfather,  “The troops of Feng and Fang carried a badge on their arms with the motto: ‘Love the People; Bring them no harassment’’.  Beijing residents at the time had very high regard of General Fang’s troops; they were well disciplined and had real compassion for the people. They were loved by the patriotic youth of their days.” As a genuine nationalist hero, my grandfather was regarded with high esteem and admiration by his countrymen.  I have always been in awe of his patriotism and gallantry.

Mother
Fang Zhao-ling, my beloved mother, was born in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province during a turbulent era.  She lived an unsettled life in her early years, witnessing at first hand the cruelty of war. As a result of my father’s unfortunate early death, she had to bear the responsibility of raising eight children all on her own, and would not have made it without the support of our relatives. My mother was passionate about art from an early age.  Over the years the challenges and hardships in her life gave her deeper perspectives about life, compassion and a vitality that were reflected in her artwork.　Her extraordinary talent was developed under the tutorship of masters such as Zhao Shao-ang and Zhang Da-qian, whose teachings she absorbed while not being limited by their conventions.  Her innovative approach eventually broke new ground to become a highly personalised and internationally celebrated style of painting and calligraphy.

Although my mother left China early in her life, she returned to travel extensively throughout the mainland from 1972, searching for inspiration while trekking through the landscapes of our motherland. In her heart she always had a deep nostalgia for her motherland, and famous landmarks of our culture such as the Yellow River, the Loess Plateau, and her hometown of Wuxi were revitalized through her paintbrush. Through her images, she spread knowledge about the way of life of her fellow countrymen and their wish for peace and serenity; through her technique and style, her passion towards her country blossomed as an art form. She expressed her fullest feelings in works such as “Boat People” and “Song of Peace” in the 1980s and further works advocating peace in the 1990s.  It was this very sincerity and passion towards humanity which set her art apart from those of her times. I will always cherish the memory of her noble character and her uncompromising spirit.

Uncle Harry
Professor Harry Fang Sin-yang is my uncle who has devoted his life to the work of rehabilitation, persevering without complaint. He served in the Hong Kong Regiment during the days of Japanese invasion, fighting in defence of the territory, and was subsequently awarded a medal of honour for his valour, by the British Authorities.

Up until retirement Uncle Harry was an orthopaedic surgeon, university professor, and a world-renowned pioneer in the development of rehabilitation medicine for the disabled. From fundraising to mobilizing a series of rehabilitation programmes in the community, he helped many physically disabled persons integrate themselves back into society and regain their dignity.  For this he has been blessed with the name of “Father of Rehabilitation.” In 1959, he founded the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, a non-profit making organisation whose work has won high recognition from the World Health Organizations (WHO) as well as local medical and social service sectors. Since its inauguration, it has served more than 800,000 physically disabled, chronically ill and elderly persons.

In 1980, Uncle Harry was elected President of Rehabilitation International, and initiated rehabilitation programmes in China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia. Through collaboration with Mr Deng Pu-fang, (the physically disabled son of Mr Deng Xiao-ping) he created and became a catalyst for a movement for the care and rehabilitation of the physically disabled in our motherland.  His efforts included fundraising, lobbying government officials, social mobilization, improvement in therapy, strengthening of support facilities and promoting the training of disabled persons for international cultural and sports activities and competitions. In 1984, while helping to raise funds to build a research centre for rehabilitation in Beijing, Uncle Harry also actively promoted community-based rehabilitation projects. In terms of professional development, Uncle Harry and my Aunt Marion together designed a curriculum to groom rehabilitation professionals in China, and have since helped successfully train more than 2000 workers to serve at rehabilitation centres at various locations throughout China. Every time I think of Uncle Harry’s love for his country, and his contribution to vulnerable groups, I am overwhelmed by the highest respect and admiration for him.

From 1989, Aunt Marion worked in mobilizing the rehabilitation programme with Uncle Harry in China.  Her specialty was in the area of training, where she advocated the concept of “conductive education”and trained rehabilitation workers with impressive results. With the support of our country’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Tongji University and Anhui University, and the assistance of WHO’s Hong Kong Rehabilitation Project Director, Aunt Marion travelled to Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and other provinces to hold training workshops for more than 2000 workers, to the benefit of a large number of welfare organizations and disabled children. Sadly, no longer with us, her selfless contribution towards special education will remain always a source of gratitude and inspiration for me.