Undated file photo shows a portrait of Wu Mengchao. China's top hepatobiliary surgeon Wu Mengchao, known as the "father of Chinese hepatobiliary surgery," passed away at 99 on Saturday. Wu, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, established a unique system of liver surgery in China and devoted himself to saving people's lives for nearly eight decades. He continued working into his 90s, seeing patients and performing operations. (Xinhua)

File photo shows Wu Mengchao, then 97, conducting a surgery on March 15, 2019. China's top hepatobiliary surgeon Wu Mengchao, known as the "father of Chinese hepatobiliary surgery," passed away at 99 on Saturday. Wu, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, established a unique system of liver surgery in China and devoted himself to saving people's lives for nearly eight decades. He continued working into his 90s, seeing patients and performing operations. (Photo by Cao Xi/Xinhua)

SHANGHAI, May 22 (Xinhua) -- China's top hepatobiliary surgeon Wu Mengchao, known as the "father of Chinese hepatobiliary surgery," passed away at 99 on Saturday.

Wu, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, established a unique system of liver surgery in China and devoted himself to saving people's lives for nearly eight decades. He continued working into his 90s, seeing patients and performing operations.

In 2005, Wu was honored with China's top science and technology award.