I was a student of James Liang at the U. of Penn. from 1963-1965. He prepared me for a life of study with the Chinese language. This began with his excellent teaching skills that helped me pass the national language exams in Chinese. The result was that I gained a fellowship at the Chinese language center in Taiwan. Due to the language foundation he laid for me, I have excelled in my Chinese language ability. I owe him the success of my professional life.

Sincerely

Richard C. Kagan

Professor Emeritus

East Asian Studies

Hamline University

St. Paul, Mn. USA

Dear Cynthia,

This is to offer my and my wife’s sincere condolences to you and to James’ family. Maghiel van Crevel informed me that James had passed away, which made me very sad indeed. I learned to know James when I was rector magnificus of Leiden University from 2001 till 2007 and he has been extremely helpful and supportive to develop a fruitful China strategy and partnerships with some of the best universities in China. James paved the way for official visits and has acompanied me and others on several trips. He was instrumental in reaching agreements on collaborations in research and in education. He was diplomatic and resolute at the same time, which made it possible to achieve a lot in short time. He was very modest in his own appearnce, was hesitant to talk about his own life, but gradually I learned what he had endured all along. It made me develop even greater respect for him than I already had. Leiden University has been very privileged in having James for such a long time among its professorial ranks. He has played a key role in the advancement of Chinese studies and in developing a fruitful and lasting China strategy. He will be remembered with great gratitude.

My wife and I vividly remember the trip that we made with James and yourself in 2006. We enjoyed your company very much and have greatly valued your guidance. May fine memories of James help you in this time of great sorrow.

Douwe D. Breimer PhD

Em Professor of Pharmacology

Past Rector Magnificus of Leiden University

I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to James' family on receiving the unfortunate news of James' passing away. I was one of the first batch of Sinology students at Leiden University James taught upon arriving there in the late seventies. Throughout my undergraduate and graduate days, James was a wonderful professor to help me on my way to learn Chinese and, later on, as I progressed in my studies, a wonderful and valuable friend, ever ready to counsel and help me and my fellow students in their at times hesitant steps towards further studies and post-student life. I have thought of James regularly during my working life and he will continue to stay in my mind as one of those few valuable educators that have an influence over the lives of their students far beyond their classroom days.

Johan van Wegen

Haarlem, The Netherlands

email: johanvanwegen@hotmail.com