Since the Nobel Prize began recognising exceptional achievements in science, literature and peace in 1901, only five scientists from Europe and the United States have been double recipients of this prestigious award. Could a Chinese scientist have joined their ranks? Chen-ning Yang, who died in October aged 103, shared the Nobel for physics with Tsung-Dao Lee, nearly seven decades ago. Yang’s long-time friend Chen Fong-ching, an honorary professor at the physics department of the Chinese…