Renowned political commentator Nan Fang Shuo dies at 78

Taipei, June 10 (CNA) Political commentator Nan Fang Shuo (南方朔), a co-founder of renowned political weekly The Journalist, has died at 78, according to reporter Chen Hao (陳浩), who was a colleague of the commentator when they worked for Chinese language China Times.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday evening, Chen lamented the death of Nan Fang Shou, whose real name was Wang Hsing-ching (王杏慶), saying that Nan Fang Shuo passed away peacefully at 1:45 p.m. Monday.

Speaking with CNA in a phone interview, Chen said he visited Wang's mourning hall to pay his respects on Monday, adding he and many of Wang's friends were surprised by the bad news and saddened at his passing.

While Chen did not disclose the cause of death, local news media reported the political commentator died of pneumonia. As of press time, Nan Fang Shuo's family had not commented on his death.

Lo Mei-ling (羅玫玲), a veteran in the local publication business, said Wang had suffered a stroke some time ago and been in poor health ever since, adding that her father and Wang were once hospitalized in the same facility around the same time.

Wang was born in 1946 and received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in forestry from National Taiwan University, followed by a Ph.D program in economic planning at Chinese Culture University.

Wang served as a reporter, column section chief, associate editor and editor-in-chief at China Times before establishing The Journalist in 1987 with other political commentators Wang Chien-chuang (王健壯), Antonio Chiang (江春男) and Chou Tien-jui (周天瑞).

Launched prior to the lifting of Martial law in September 1987, the magazine sought to be a flag-bearer for a free press, democracy and social justice, in addition to providing "a voice that Taiwan cannot be without."

After being informed of Wang's death, Chiang and Chou said they were too upset to talk to the media.

Titian Publishing Co. said Wang tried his best to fight the political system by planning and participating in street movements and he was good at understanding the pulse of society, praising the commentator for the support he provided the younger generation and calling him a heavyweight in Taiwan's cultural and political arena.

Columnist Tsai Chi-ta (蔡其達) likened Wang to Prometheus in Greek mythology, who defied the Olympian gods by taking fire from them and giving it to humanity in the form of technology, knowledge and, more generally, civilization.

Tsai said Wang lit the candle of life in his era, adding that history will never forget him.