Mr. Fu Guoyong (January 1967 – July 7, 2025) passed away from a sudden heart attack in the early morning of July 7 in Hangzhou. He was 58. A respected member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center and recipient of the 2017 Freedom to Write Award, Mr. Fu embodied the values the PEN Center stands for: freedom of expression, independence of thought, and the dignity of the written word. His passing is a profound loss to the community of independent writers and thinkers in China. Yet his voice and spirit, like an enduring light, will continue to illuminate the path for those who follow.
A Writer and a Witness
Born in Yueqing, Zhejiang Province, Mr. Fu graduated from Wenzhou Education College and began his career as a rural middle school teacher before eventually settling in Hangzhou. Though unaffiliated with academic institutions, he published extensively in outlets such as Book House, Essays, Yanhuang Chunqiu, Southern Weekend, and Old Photos, with a focus on the history of free speech and the fate of intellectuals in modern China. His prose was lucid and profound, unearthing hidden truths and giving voice to the unheard.
Twice imprisoned for his involvement in the pro-democracy movement, Mr. Fu remained unbowed. “We are not the protagonists of history,” he once said, “but we can choose not to collude with lies.” He firmly believed in the inherent power of truth to pierce through falsehood. In a society dominated by deception, he saw truth-telling as a quiet yet potent act of resistance. His writing bore the weight of conscience and reflected a moral clarity that was both steadfast and serene.
Words as Resistance
To Mr. Fu, history was first and foremost the story of individuals—their struggles and their choices. He rejected the myth-making of grand narratives, choosing instead to restore the humanity of those caught within them. Figures like Lin Zhao and Chu Anping were, in his hands, not mere symbols but fully realized souls.
His body of work spans many themes and formats. Notable titles include A Century of Dreams, Pursuing Lost Traditions, 1949: Private Records of Chinese Intellectuals, Protagonists and Supporting Roles, The Biography of Jin Yong, and Backbone. His writing was neither dry academic inquiry nor impassioned polemic, but thoughtful and heartfelt historical reflection.
Even during the years when he was banned from publishing or traveling, Mr. Fu never stopped writing. He shared his essays online, in overseas media, and in exile publications, keeping the flame of free expression alive. He once wrote: “As long as words are not silenced, there is still space for resistance.”
A Light of Integrity
Mr. Fu was never loud, vulgar, or self-pitying. He used his pen to resist amnesia and distraction, preserving clarity in a foggy age. He never embraced extremism nor let anger displace reason. His writing was gentle yet firm, calm yet radiant.
As an active member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center, he lived by the principle of fighting with words. The Freedom to Write Award he received in 2017 recognized both the power of his work and the strength of his character. He devoted his life to defending freedom and upholding dignity—not only through words but also through action.
A Legacy of Light and Courage
Mr. Fu departed suddenly, but the words he left behind remain clear and free. Beyond his dozens of published works, he left us an enduring example of literary ethics and moral courage. His life reminds us: even in difficult times, telling the truth is not impossible—what matters is the courage to pay the price.
His voice will continue to echo through time. May we carry forward the light he sparked. May future generations find in his writings the truth, strength, and inspiration to continue the pursuit of freedom and the defense of human dignity.
Independent Chinese PEN Center Secretariat
July 10, 2025