China on Monday morning held a memorial service to bid farewell to Yuan Longping, known as the "father of hybrid rice," who passed away on Saturday.
Despite being a busy workday, thousands of people dressed in black showed up and laid flowers at the site in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province.
The top rice scientist, who developed the first hybrid rice strain that relieved countless people of hunger, died of organ failure at 91 in Changsha.
Politicians, researchers and industry practitioners worldwide have mourned the passing of Yuan.
His death was widely reported by media outlets worldwide which also paid tribute to his contribution.
Produced by Xinhua Global Service
