My name is Yang, and I nominated Wang Fanxi (1907–2002), a Chinese revolutionary, writer, and political thinker who made Leeds his home after settling here in the spring of 1975. I am delighted to share that Leeds Civic Trust approved this nomination in April 2026.

We are now seeking public support to install a Leeds Blue Plaque at 14 Memorial Drive, Meanwood, Leeds LS6 4LF, where Wang spent the final years of his life. If this location is not feasible, alternative sites, such as the Brotherton Library at the University of Leeds or another place closely associated with his life and work in Leeds, will be considered.

To complete the manufacture and installation of the plaque, we need to raise at least £900. With your support, Wang Fanxi will become the possible fifth Chinese individual to be commemorated with a blue plaque in the United Kingdom, recognising his remarkable contribution to Leeds, the British Chinese community, and modern intellectual history.

Who Was Wang Fanxi?

Wang Fanxi was born in Zhejiang Province in 1907. He joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1925 and became an active participant in China's revolutionary movement. He was imprisoned by the Nationalist government for his political activities. Shortly before the Chinese Communist Party came to power in 1949, Wang was forced into exile because of his Trotskyist belief and position.

In 1975, with the support of several distinguished figures in Leeds, including Sir Edward Boyle, Prof Ralph Miliband, and Prof Gregor Benton, Wang settled in the city that would remain his home for the rest of his life.

Although he arrived in Leeds in his late sixties, these years proved to be among the most productive of his career as a writer and intellectual. From Leeds, he continued to publish extensively, documenting the history of the Chinese Revolution and reflecting on twentieth-century politics. His works remain valuable resources for historians and political scholars around the world.

While Wang no longer participated directly in political activism, his Leeds home became a place of learning and discussion for generations of visitors from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. Many young scholars, students, and activists sought his guidance and were inspired by his revolutionary experience, political thought, and personal integrity. Numerous visitors later became involved in public life, community leadership, social movements, and academic research.

Wang was also a respected figure within the British Chinese community. Community activists frequently sought his advice on issues including social justice, racial equality, and the challenges facing Chinese immigrants in Britain.

Beyond the Chinese community, Wang earned the admiration of leading British intellectuals. Sir Edward Boyle, then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds, famously described him as "a mobile library of the Chinese Revolution". He developed lasting friendships with distinguished scholars such as Prof Ralph Miliband, Prof Gregor Benton and other prominent British intellectuals.

Following his death in 2002, Wang Fanxi's manuscripts, correspondence, and research papers were donated to the Brotherton Library, University of Leeds, where they form the Wang Fanxi Archive. Today, this collection serves as an important resource for researchers studying modern Chinese history, revolutionary politics, and the global Chinese diaspora.

By supporting this Blue Plaque, you will help preserve the legacy of an extraordinary individual whose life connected China and Britain and whose intellectual influence continues to inspire new generations.