Yu Ying-shih, 91, a world renowned Chinese historian and sinologist, passed away in his sleep at home in Princeton, New Jersey on Aug. 1. On Thursday (Aug. 5), when the family announced his death, the global Chinese community mourned Yu and praised his contributions to Chinese studies, as well as his support for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong and Taiwan. “[Yu] was widely recognized as one of the most prominent historians of his generation and had made lasting contributions to the study of Chinese history and culture,” professor Alan K.L. Chan, acting vice-chancellor of Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), wrote in the university’s eulogy on Aug. 5. “[Yu] supported Taiwan’s Sunflower Student Movement and Hongkongers’ protest against the controversial extradition bill. He always voiced for justice at the most critical moments, and has never wavered,” Chen Fang-Ming, professor at Institute of Taiwan Literature, National Chengchi University, told Taiwanese …