Chinese poet and literary journalist Wei Wei, seen in a November 10, 2005 photo, died of liver cancer on August 24, 2008 in Beijing. [File Photo: Beijing Times/sohu.com]

 

Renowned Chinese poet and literary journalist Wei Wei, whose book "Who Is the Most Lovable" is widely read in China, died of liver cancer Sunday evening in Beijing. He was 88.

Wei Wei had been hospitalized since he was diagnosed with liver cancer in November, his daughter Wei Ping was quoted by Tuesday's Beijing Times.

"He left calmly, although he was unable to speak anything," Wei Ping told the newspaper.

Li Xinzhi said his father-in-law had been a devoted writer until his last days. Li is planning to find a publisher for Wei Wei's last works.

A funeral is scheduled this Saturday at Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in western Beijing.

Wei Wei, who joined the Communist Party of China in 1938, wrote most of his works right from the front lines.

One of his best-known works, "Who Is the Most Lovable," was produced shortly after he returned with the Chinese People's Volunteer Force from the 1950-53 Korean War.

The book highlights the tenacity and internationalism of the Chinese volunteer soldiers who were in North Korea to help battle against U.S. aggression.

Part of the book was later selected into textbooks and was so well-received that "the most lovable" had become a moniker for the Chinese People's Volunteers.

Later Wei Wei wrote a full-length novel, "In the East," also based on the Korean War. The novel brought him an award at the inaugural Mao Dun Literature Prize, one of the most prestigious literature awards in China, in 1982.

(CRI August 26, 2008)