People from all circles pay their final respects to renowned Chinese scientist Qian Weichang, a senior member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and former President of Shanghai University, in east China's Shanghai, Aug. 7, 2010. Qian, one of the country's most respected scientists, who was recognized for his achievements in applied mathematics and mechanics, passed away on July 30, at the age of 98. His body was cremated in Shanghai's Hualong Funeral Parlor Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

Tens of thousands of Chinese Saturday paid their last respects to Qian Weichang, one of the country's most respected scientists, who was recognized for his achievements in applied mathematics and mechanics.

Qian, a senior member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and former President of Shanghai University, passed away on July 30, at the age of 98. His body was cremated in Shanghai's Hualong Funeral Parlor Saturday.

The funeral service began at 10:30 a.m. Black scrolls were hung in the spacious funeral hall, where mourners moved in lines and bowed before Qian's body, covered by the national flag and among pots of flowers.

Top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin and other senior officials attended the service.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), shook hands with Qian's relatives and consoled them for their loss. He also extended sympathy to the family on behalf of President Hu Jintao and former President Jiang Zemin.

Many of the mourners Saturday wore black arm-bands, a Chinese tradition to mourn the dead, and held Qian's pictures and banners as they quietly stood in lines.

Among the mourners was Hu Yanpeng, 84, who was Qian's student at Tsinghua University some 60 years ago.

"He urged us to learn more about rocket science and help in the country's efforts to develop its own rockets," said Hu.

Students from Shanghai University pay their final respects to renowned Chinese scientist Qian Weichang, a senior member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and former President of Shanghai University, in east China's Shanghai, Aug. 7, 2010. Photo: Xinhua

Qian graduated from Tsinghua University in 1937. He then studied in Canada and got a doctorate in applied mathematics from the University of Toronto in 1942.

Qian returned to China in 1946 after spending four years as a researcher in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, the United States.

He taught at universities in Beijing and Shanghai for nearly 50 years.

Qian was considered a key contributor to the theory of elastic mechanics, variation principle and perturbation method.

He was the co-author of the essay "Change the torsional twist," published in 1946 and considered a classic in the theory of elastic mechanics.

Qian once served as vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and then honorable chairman of the China Democratic League (CDL).

An official obituary described Qian as founder of China's modern mechanics, renowned scientist, educator, outstanding social leader, prominent leader of the CDL and a close friend of the Communist Party of China.

In China, Qian Weichang was recognized alongside late space scientist, "Father of Space Technology," Qian Xuesen and late nuclear scientist, "Father of China's Atomic Bomb," Qian Sanqiang, as "The three Qians" in modern Chinese history.

Qian Sanqiang died in 1992 and Qian Xuesen died in 2009.