Fang Zhouzi, a popular science writer, has pledged to continue his efforts to expose academic scandals in China after being attacked and injured slightly.

On August 29, Fang said, he was attacked by two unknown men in the street near his home at about 5:00 p.m. A man sprayed pungent liquid on his face and another man hit him in the middle of his body with a hammer.

Fang said the attack must have been launched in revenge for his exposure of some misconduct. Police investigation of the assault is ongoing.

Fang, 43, received Ph.D in biochemistry from Michigan State University in 1995. One of China's earliest bloggers, he created the world's first online Chinese literature magazine New Threads in 1994 along with several friends. Since 1999, he has devoted great efforts to disclosing bogus research and academic frauds on his website and in a variety of publications.

When meeting reporters on August 30, Fang also said he had received threatening calls during the past 10 years. Despite this, Fang said he would not give up fighting academic wrongdoings.