Ni was born in Ningbo, Zhejiang, but grew up in Shanghai. He worked as a public security official under the Chinese Communist Party government in the 1950s in Inner Mongolia and was tasked with writing death sentences. He once questioned the local party chief about why a particular man was sentenced to death, when the offence he committed was for being a landlord. The chief threatened to execute him if he continued to ask questions. According to Ni, he complied with the order because he feared for his own life. This was not the only instance in which Ni wrote a questionable death sentence which was categorised under "others" by the CCP government. These experiences made Ni decide to escape from China to Hong Kong in 1957. Ni's science fiction novels usually take the form of detective/mystery stories featuring extraterrestrial life as a deus ex machina to explain the impossible and implausible. His best known works are the Wisely Series and Dr Yuennovel series, both of which have been adapted into films and television series. His criticism of communism is evident in some of these works. Ni also co-wrote scripts with Chang Cheh for the Shaw Brothers Studio, including for the films One-Armed Swordsman, The Assassin and Crippled Avengers. As the screenwriter for the 1972 film Fist of Fury, he didn't received credit for creating the protagonist, Chen Zhen, who was played by Bruce Lee. The credits listed director Lo Wei as author. Chen Zhen became a popular Chinese culture hero and the subject of numerous remakes and adaptations of Fist of Fury. Notable actors such as Jet Li and Donnie Yen have portrayed Chen Zhen on screen after Bruce Lee. Ni wrote the screenplay for China's first superhero film Inframan. Ni is a friend and fan of the wuxia writer Louis Cha. He wrote at least one extended segment in Cha's novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils when Cha was on holiday in Europe, although much of his additions were excised in Cha's first revision. Ni, while helping Cha write nearly 40 days of serialisation while Cha was abroad, made A'zi, a character in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, blind in the story. Cha has since edited his novel. In 1992, Ni migrated to the United States, where he continued his writing career, when he heard that the British were planning to transfer the sovereignty of Hong Kong to the Chinese government. However, he returned to Hong Kong in 2006 because his wife could not adjust to the lifestyle in the United States.
Personal life
Ni has four brothers and two sisters: Ni Yifang, Ni Yixiu, Ni Yijian, Ni Yiping, Ni Yishu and Ni Yijing. He is married to Li Guozhen while his younger brother, Ni Yiping, is married to Li's younger sister. Ni and Li Guozhen have a son and daughter. Their son, Joe Nieh, who works in the Hong Kong entertainment industry, is married to actress Vivian Chow. Their daughter is Ni Sui.
Political views
Ni is a known anti-communist. In an interview, when asked about his feelings regarding injustice in China, he stated that the people would continue suffering as long as the Chinese Communist Party remains in existence. He mentioned that the most important value in the world is individual freedom, which includes respecting others' personal freedom as well.
