The literary industry has lost another talented soul. Louis Cha Jing-Yong, a Hong Kong journalist and Chinese martial arts novelist, has passed away at the age of 94 after a long illness.
The sad news was confirmed (via South China Morning Post) by his son-in-law, Dr. Ng Wai-Cheong, who said Louis Cha Jing-Yong was surrounded by family members when he passed away Tuesday, Oct. 30 at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital.
No exact cause of death was given, but previous reports claimed Louis Cha Jing-Yong had been frail since suffering a stroke in 1997. Since then, he was unable to walk or write, and speaks with difficulty, relying on a retinue.
Louis Cha Jing-Yong, better known by his pen name Jin Yong, was Hong Kong's most famous writer. He penned 15 martial arts novels throughout his lifetime, including "The Book and the Sword," "Sword Stained with Royal Blood," "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," "Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain," "The Return of the Condor Heroes," "The Young Flying Fox," "White Horse Neighs in the Western Wind," "Blade-dance of the Two Lovers," "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," and "The Deer and the Cauldron."
All of his novels have been translated into many languages including English, French, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Malay Burmese, and Indonesian. It has also been adapted into films, television shows and radio dramas in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
In the wake of Louis Cha Jing-Yong's passing, numerous celebrities such as Wang Leehom, Alec Su, Jordan Chan, Tony Leung, and Andy Lau paid tribute to the renowned journalist on Chinese microblogging site, Weibo.
Bollywood actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan, best known for his role as Sanjay Singhania in the 2008 action-thriller film "Ghajini," said he was saddened about Louis Cha Jing-Yong's sudden passing. He also professed himself as a fan.
"I am very saddened to hear the sad news of Mr. Louis Cha passing away," Aamir Khan, whose real name is Mohammed Aamir Hussain Khan, wrote on his Weibo account, as quoted by The Straits Times. "His book 'The Deer and The Cauldron' gave me a lot of joy. I read it just a few months back. I wish I could have met him. He has given so much joy to so many generations. I am his big fan. I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to his family. May he rest in peace."
