Professor Yang Qixun invented China’s first microprocessor based protective relay, creating new opportunities for computing and automation worldwide.  

Professor Yang graduated from Zhejiang University in 1960, and until 1979 he was a lecturer in North China Electric Power University. Receiving his doctoral degree from UNSW in 1982, Professor Yang was UNSW’s first ever Chinese student, being among the first batch of 200 students selected by the Chinese Government to study overseas following China’s Reform and Opening Up Policy in 1978.

Upon returning to China in 1984, Professor Yang developed China’s first microprocessor-based protection, and established the Beijing SIFANG Automation Company in 1994. His invention represented a major milestone in China’s science and technology development. Since that time, Professor Yang’s technology has been widely implemented by major protective relay manufacturers, and set the standard of the industrial application in China. 

The popularisation and application of his achievements has resulted in tremendous economic and social profits, and ensured an international advanced position for theory and application of microcomputer relay protection in China’s power system. Professor Yang was elected as the founding academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering in 1994. He is a tenured professor and PhD supervisor of North China Electric Power University.