Chen Fong Ching, whose ancestral home is in Cenxi, Guangxi Province, was born in Chongqing in 1939. Later, he moved to Hong Kong, and then pursued his studies in the United States. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Harvard University and PhD in Physics from Brandeis University.

In 1966, Chen Fong Ching returned to Hong Kong, and joined the Department of Physics at the newly founded Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). His research interests focused on theoretical physics and polymer physics. He was made University Secretary in 1980, and Senior Research Fellow & Director of the Institute of Chinese Studies in 1986. Upon his retirement in August 2002, Prof. Chen has continued to offer his service to CUHK as Honorary Senior Research Fellow. He has been visiting scholar at the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Geneva, the Department of Engineering Science, Oxford University and the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University. In addition to research on theoretical particle physics and polymer physics, Prof. Chen was dedicated to the conversion of Chinese classics into the electronic format, and worked with his colleagues to set up the Computerized Database of Ancient Chinese Texts. He also worked on comparative studies of modernization processes between China and the West. He has been committed to facilitating cultural and academic exchanges between Hong Kong and mainland China since 1980s, establishing the bimonthly journal Twenty-first Century in 1990 and serving as Chief Editor of “The Impact of Modernization on the World” series.

Prof. Chen has worked on subjects related to comparative modernization processes, the relationship between science and technology and modernization, and the philosophy of science. In recent years, his research interests focused on the history of science. He is the author of On the Threshold of a Wonderful New Century, Beyond Freedom and Equality, and Heritage and Betrayal –A Treatise on the Emergence of Modern Science in Western Civilization.