On a mission to spread science and natural history knowledge
Print Edition
ZUO Huanchen has quietly made a big impact on the city. She has been a medical expert in anatomy and a politician. She is also known for her famous great great grandfather, General Tso, who is best known for his love of spicy chicken. She also raises money for two of the city’s best museums — Shanghai Science and Technology Museum and the Shanghai Museum of Natural History, which will reopen later this year after moving to a new location on Beijing Road. She is active in promoting child and women’s issues along with health and science across the city.
The 74-year-old seemingly has an endless supply of energy, keeping busy in a number of areas. She may be the biggest fundraiser for both museums and is instrumental in drumming up donations among Westerners.
Kenneth E. Behring, an American real estate developer and philanthropist, is the biggest single donor to both museums. He credit’s Zuo’s passion and friendship as the reasons he continues to give more money to both museums. “I give so many donations because of Madam Zuo,” he says.
Zuo believes it is important that kids in the city have the chance to learn about nature and animals at the Shanghai Museum of Natural History.
“It’s important to introduce these animals to the families of Shanghai,” Zuo says. “Otherwise, children would never have the opportunity to view such beautiful animals from around the world. But each specimen is not just about a beautiful animal — all of them were created with great detail, and each one has a story. So children can learn and leave inspired. It’s important they learn that human beings can live in harmony with animals.”
She says museums and education are extremely important to improve the quality of the next generation. This guiding philosophy extends to everyone. Zuo has initiated a project called Mobile Science Museum.
With the program, mobile science equipment provided by Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is used to create “mini science museums” in sub-districts.
The goal is to promote modern science and technology in communities, especially in areas where people may be struggling to make ends meet.
Although officially retired, Zuo is a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. She is also the board chairperson of both the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum and the Shanghai Science Education Development Foundation, At one time, she was the vice director of the Shanghai Health Bureau and later vice mayor of Shanghai for health issues.
Both of her parents were doctors, which inspired her to enter the medical field. Zuo was a professor and doctorate supervisor at the Fudan University School of Medicine and also chief adviser on the Anatomy of China Society.
Her famous great great grandfather was General Tso Tsung-tang, or Zuo Zongtang, who served during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) as a military leader and minister of foreign affairs. Many Westerners may not know of General Tso’s military theories, but they may have tried the dish named in his honor. General Tso’s chicken is a slightly spicy and sweet, deep-fried chicken dish commonly served in Chinese restaurants across North America.
Despite her age, Zuo has never considered taking it easy. Whenever she hears about wildlife specimens and fossils, she tries everything in her power to acquire them.
“They are all unique,” she says. “Once one is destroyed, it’s gone. There will never be another exactly the same. I always hope to do my best to get as many such treasures as possible for Shanghai and China.”
She admits it can be difficult, especially after many countries, including China, tightened policies on imports and exports.
“I have to use my own resources sometimes,” she says. “But that’s not the most difficult part. It was really hard when the bird flu and food-and-mouth disease epidemics broke out. Imports of specimens of feathered creatures and hoofed mammals were extremely difficult then.”
Still, she perseveres and she feels good about the natural history museum’s new location and the promise it holds.
“I hope it will develop into a cultural museum,” Zuo says. “When it reopens, I plan to launch a science and technology week about the harmony between human and nature.”
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