On October 16, 2024, the exhibition titled “Devoting to the Nation—Tsinghua University Scholars Among the Founding Fathers of the ‘Two Bombs and One Satellite’” was inaugurated alongside the launch of the new title, commemorating the 60th anniversary of China’s first successful atomic detonation. The event took place at the Tsinghua University History Museum (TUHM).
Among the attendees were XIANG Botao, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Tsinghua University (TU) Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Tsinghua University History Editorial Committee (TUHEC); GE Nengquan, former Secretary-General of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Editor-in-Chief of the title; SHI Zongkai, Deputy Director of the TU Affairs Committee, Vice President of the Tsinghua Alumni Association, and Deputy Director of the TUHEC; LI Yibing, Deputy Director of the TU Affairs Committee and Deputy Director of the TUHEC; as well as over 70 representatives including the relatives of founding fathers of the “Two Bombs, One Satellite”, TU faculty, and students. This event was co-hosted by the Tsinghua University Archives (TUA), the TUHM, the Tsinghua University Press (TUP), and the Tsinghua University Library, with SUN Haitao, Director of the TUHM and TUA, as the host.
XIANG Botao delivered a speech and officially opened the exhibition.
QIU Xianqing, Chairman of TUP, introduced the Devoting to the Nation: Tsinghua University Scholars Among the Heroes of 'Two Bombs, One Satellite published by TUP. This title, released to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the atomic explosion, is part of TU’s history research and archival compilation series, supported by the TUHEC. Editors-in-chief of the title are GE Nengquan, Professor FENG Lisheng from TU Institute of the History of Science and Technology and Ancient Documents, and FAN Baolong, Deputy Director of TUHEC, and former Director of the History Research Office and the TUA. The editorial board comprises of experts from TU, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the University of Science and Technology of China, the Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the Beihang University. Using vivid stories and invaluable historical photographs, the title reviews the life experiences of 14 TU alumni received the Two Bombs, One Satellite Merit Award—WANG Ganchang, ZHAO Jiuzhang, QIAN Xuesen, PENG Huanwu, QIAN Sanqiang, WANG Daheng, CHEN Fangyun, GUO Yonghuai, TU Shou’e, YANG Jiachi, WANG Xiji, DENG Jiaxian, ZHU Guangya, and ZHOU Guangzhao. They made arduous efforts to study and work, dedicated themselves to the nation, and gained achievements. The book conveys the essence of the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” spirit. QIU Xianqing emphasized the TUP’s dedication to significant thematic projects and the plan to share more stories about “Two Bombs, One Satellite” in the future through exemplary publications highlighting the spirit of “Two Bombs, One Satellite” and the contributions of scientists.
QIU Xianqing, Chairman of TUP, delivers a speech.
SHI Zongkai, GE Nengquan, QIU Xianqing, FENG Lisheng, FAN Baolong, and WANG Qing, the former Secretary of the Party Committee of TU’s Department of Physics and Director of the Institute of Particle Physics and Astrophysics unveiled the title.
Book Launch Ceremony
Following the unveiling ceremony, 86-year-old GE Nengquan, delivered a speech, noting TU’s substantial contributions to the “Two Bombs, One Satellite”, describing it as a cradle for the talents behind the project. Among the 23 founding fathers honored by the nation in 1999, 14 had either studied or worked at TU. On behalf of the editorial board, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to TUA and TUHM for their strong support and collaboration, sharing stories behind the first atomic bomb and the editing process of the title.
GE Nengquan delivers a speech.
BAI Yongyi, a member of the TUHEC and former Director of TUA, TIAN Qian, a member of the TUHEC and former Director of TU History Research Office, and QIU Xianqing gave copies of Devoting to the Nation—Tsinghua University Scholars Among the Founding Fathers of the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” to student representatives from TU as presents.
After the ceremony, attendees respectfully toured the exhibition, which showcased the stories of TU scholars among the founding fathers of “Two Bombs, One Satellite” and their affiliations with TU. The exhibition displayed their introduction in order of their enrollment (or teaching) at TU, highlighting their academic and professional journeys in advancing the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” project. For the first time, admission records for 12 of them were presented in the cabinet to the public, alongside previously unseen historical materials donated by QIAN Sanqiang. The display included rare artifacts such as QIAN Xuesen’s guarantee for studying in the U.S., DENG Jiaxian’s manuscript of Quantum Field Theory, WANG Ganchang’s notebook under the pseudonym “Wang Jing,” and a used clock, all regarded as one-of-a-kind treasures. Images of these archival items were also featured in the new title.
The launch of this new title and the opening of the TUA and TUHM exhibition Devoting to the Nation: Tsinghua University Scholars Among the Heroes of 'Two Bombs, One Satellite is part of TU’s themed education initiative titled “I Wish to Devote Myself to the Nation and Contribute to the Great Rejuvenation”.
