Zhou Youguang

Zhou Youguang's achievement is remarkable in its global reach and lasting impact. He led the creation of a romanization system that became the standard for Mandarin Chinese, adopted by the ISO and the United Nations. His work has made Chinese accessible to learners worldwide and revolutionized digital communication in China. The fact that his system is still in daily use by over a billion people is a testament to its design and his foresight. He is rightly celebrated as the father of pinyin.