Chinese scientist Qian Weichang, who was a pioneer in physics, mechanics and applied mathematics, was cremated here on Saturday.

He died in Shanghai at the age of 98 on July 30.

Qian -- former president of Shanghai University and other colleges -- was a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

He was one of the three famous "Qians" in China's science and technology field, along with Qian Xuesen, the father of China's space program, and Qian Sanqiang, who oversaw the development of China's nuclear program.

Qian Sanqiang died in 1992 and Qian Xuesen in 2009.

"It (the deaths of the three) marks the end of an era," a netizen named Liu Xianbin wrote in his blog.

"Salute those who devoted their life time to transform China from poverty and inferiority by advancing scientific and technical strength. Salute the three 'Qians,'" he wrote.

"From Qian's experiences of various ups and downs of life, we could understand deeply the definition of pure patriotism," said Zhou Zhewei, deputy president of Shanghai University and a student of Qian Weichang.

In reminiscence, Rao Zihe, president of Tianjin-based Nankai University, said "Qian put forward the advanced concept of open education in China last century, which has not yet been fully realized in universities nowadays."

"We should carry on Qian's behests," Rao said.