As the whole nation mourns the death of Yuan Longping, the pioneer of the research and development of hybrid rice in China, on Saturday, three netizens’ accounts were suspended by Sina Weibo for spreading rumors and insults against Yuan.
Three Sina Weibo user accounts were caught spreading rumors and insults against Yuan, which caused severe consequences, Sina Weibo announced on Saturday afternoon.
Those three accounts were suspended by the platform for a year and further punishment is on the way, the notice said.
Weibo said it takes zero tolerance over the publication and dissemination of content that “distorts, vilifies, desecrates, and denies the deeds and spirit of heroes and martyrs.”
Waves of mourning were seen earlier on Saturday morning, after individual media mistakenly reported Yuan’s death, exploding over China’s social media, seemingly no matter what occupation, or where they live, almost everyone started talking about the scientist as such news was not accepted as true.
However, the breaking news came true after all ̶ Yuan passed away in a hospital in Changsha at 1:07 pm on Saturday at the age of 91.
People flocked to social media to express their condolences for the loss of Yuan. Yuan was hailed by netizens as “a great man of our time,” “the pride of the Republic, the backbone of the nation, and a role model for every descendant of Chinese people!”
The hashtag “Yuan Longping died” generated more than 3.1 billion views and 6.6 million comments as of press time.
As millions of people mourned Yuan online, hundreds of people flocked to the hospital to say goodbye to Yuan as the hearse carrying his body drove away from Xiangtan Hospital in Changsha, Hunan Province. They all shouted together: “Farewell! Grandpa Yuan!”
As the hearse drove to the Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center from the hospital along the way, vehicles in Changsha whistled to express their condolences. Hundreds of people encircled the hearse in droves as the vehicle made its way into the center of the city, according to video footage by CCTV.
“About 3000 chrysanthemums were sold out earlier today. Now, both white and yellow ones are sold out. Many people have placed their orders online to express their condolences,” Niniu from a flower shop in Changsha told Cailian Press.
Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center and Southwest University, the home university of Yuan, had turned its front page to black and white to mourn Yuan.
Upon learning about the death of Yuan, alumni, teachers and students of Southwest University in Chongqing spontaneously went to Yuan’s sculpture on the campus to present flowers and observe a silence.
“I made rice for lunch, a very sweet meal indeed. I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard Yuan died. The tears were running down my face,” a Sina Weibo user said. “Like the sky, never left. You will always be the star of the country,” another said.
“We will never forget your merits and spirit. We will relay your dream of enjoying the prosperous motherland. Farewell!” another used posted.
In addition to widespread mourning from netizens, mainstream media including the Xinhua News Agency and the People’s Daily released numerous news content about Yuan to express their condolences.
Yuan Longping is dubbed the “Father of Hybrid Rice”. Photo:Xinhua
