Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking has arrived in Beijing in advance of his lecture at the Great Hall of the People on Monday morning.

Hawking will discuss the origins of the universe at Strings 2006, an international conference on string theory hosted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Theoretical Physics.

In response to public demand from Chinese audience the organizers will arrange a second lecture from Hawking on June 21.

Hawking has spent a lifetime trying to unravel the basic laws which govern the universe.

In 1988, Hawking published his great book, A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes, which is still considered by the scientific community to be a milestone.

Hawking has visited the Chinese mainland twice. Prior to arriving in Beijing, he spent several days in Hong Kong.

Hawking, who suffers from a myotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), communicates with others through a computer synthesizer. He is being cared for by five nurses during his trip to Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2006)