Acclaimed scientist and theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking,
arrived in Beijing on Saturday where he will be giving a series of
lectures this week.
As part of his Beijing tour, Hawking will attend the 2006
Strings Conference, a high-end mathematics forum organized by the
Morningside Center of Mathematics affiliated to the Chinese Academy
of Sciences.
This is Hawking's third visit to the city.
Hawking was scheduled to give his lecture titled "The Origin of
the Universe" at the Great Hall of the People this morning.
Before he got down to any serious business, the 64-year-old
scientist yesterday was treated to a tour of Beijing's Temple of
Heaven, accompanied by his eight-person entourage from the UK's
renowned Cambridge University.
Hawking, who is wheelchair bound and unable to speak due to
muscle atrophy, communicated briefly with reporters through his
famous electronic voice machine as he approached the temple.
"Fabulous! I like you!" he exclaimed, before turning the tables
on his questioners: "So what do you think of the temple?"
Zhao Qihui, Hawking's medical assistant, had high hopes for the
coming week due to the scientist's strong-willed nature.
"I'm confident everything will go well with all the lectures
next week, despite his physical condition."
Besides delivering his most popular lecture on the universe,
China Daily has learned that Hawking is to unveil a new
paper titled "Semi-Classical Birth of the Universe" with research
fellows in Beijing.
Wu Zhongchao, a PhD student currently working under Hawking,
said the scientist's visit is aimed at enhancing local children's
enthusiasm for elementary science.
Hong Kong media reported that Hawking's seminal book The
Brief History of Time sold out last week while the scientist
was there to give "The Origin of the Universe" lecture on June 15
at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
During his lecture, Hawking discussed theories on the origin of the
universe, explained how time can have a beginning, and the progress
made by cosmologists.
"Professor Hawking has long cared about the development of
science in China and social issues.... And he agreed to the tour
happily on receiving the invitation letter," said Judith Croasdell,
his personal assistant.
(China Daily June 19, 2006)