Leading Chinese nuclear scientist dies in fall from building
- Zhang Zhijian, the vice-president of Harbin Engineering University, was found dead on Thursday. Police say there were no suspicious circumstances
- The scientist had received a number of top honours, including the National Award for Excellence in Innovation
One of China’s leading nuclear scientists, Zhang Zhijian, has died after falling from a building, Harbin Engineering University has announced.
Zhang, who was vice-president at the university, was found dead on Thursday.
In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo, the university in the capital of Heilongjiang, China’s northernmost province, said police had ruled out homicide as the cause of death after on-site investigations, without providing further details.
“Harbin Engineering University announces with deep grief that Professor Zhang Zhijian regrettably fell off a building and died at 9:34am on June 17, 2021,” the statement said.
“The university expresses deep sorrow over the passing of comrade Zhang Zhijian and deep condolences to his family.”
There was no other official statement about Zhang’s death and his name remained on the leadership list of the university’s website on Friday.
