1 949101October1day, the establishment of the new China made Qian Xuesen, who lives in the United States, feel excited. After 10 years of hard preparation, it is finally time to serve the motherland. He said to his wife, Jiang Ying, "The motherland has been liberated, so it's time for us to go back."
At that time, Qian Xuesen was already a world-famous scientist, and his wife Jiang Ying was also famous in the music industry. But the call of the motherland made them give up all superiority without hesitation.
1In August, 950, Qian Xuesen's family prepared to leave the United States on a Canadian flight. However, the US Department of Defense detained him through the customs on trumped-up charges. After that, the US Department of Justice signed an arrest warrant, and Qian Xuesen lost his freedom.
During the 10 years when he worked in the United States, Qian Xuesen made important contributions to the development of American aviation and rocket technology. Milton Viorst, an American columnist, once wrote: "Money is a bright star in the galaxy of scientists who help the United States become a world-class military power." Therefore, when he learned that Qian Xuesen was going to return to China, the US Deputy Secretary of the Navy immediately called the Ministry of Justice: "Don't let Qian Xuesen return to China anyway, he is too valuable!" "I would rather shoot him than let him go home."
Qian Xuesen did not give in. In the days when he lost his freedom, on the one hand, he continued his scientific research, on the other hand, he persisted in his struggle and looked for opportunities to return to China. 1955 In May, he read a report from overseas Chinese newspapers about China's celebration of "May 1" Labor Day. Among them, Chen Shutong, a family friend who is familiar with his family, and Chairman Mao reviewed the military parade at Tiananmen Gate.
Qian Xuesen immediately wrote a letter to Chen Shutong, asking the motherland to help him return to China. This letter was sandwiched between Jiang Ying's letter to his sister in Belgium and quietly sent out. On the day Chen Shutong received the letter, he sent it to Premier Zhou Enlai. At that time, China and the United States were holding ambassadorial talks. Ambassador Wang Bingnan made representations with the US according to the instructions of the Prime Minister. At first, the United States refused to admit that it had detained any China citizens, but when Ambassador Wang took out Qian Xuesen's letter, the United States was speechless. Finally, the American government had to reluctantly allow Qian Xuesen to return to China.
During his 20 years in the United States, Qian Xuesen kept his China nationality. He recalled: "I stayed in the United States for so long that I never thought I would stay there all my life." I have a basis for saying this. Because in the United States, when a person takes part in a job, he always deposits part of his income in an insurance company for his later years. Many people were surprised that I didn't save a dollar. Actually, it's not surprising, because I'm from China and I don't plan to live in the United States all my life. "
1In September, 955, Qian Xuesen's family boarded the ship President Cleveland and returned home. Before he left, he bid farewell to his teacher, Von Carmen, the world master of mechanics and the father of American supersonic speed, and gave his new book, Engineering Cybernetics, to his teacher. After reading the book, Von Carmen said to Qian Xuesen, "You have surpassed me academically now!"
"Foreigners can do it, and so can China."
After suffering, Qian Xuesen returned to the motherland.
The morning after his arrival in Beijing, he led his family to Tiananmen Square. Looking up at the majestic Tiananmen Square and the five-star red flag flying high, he was extremely excited.
During 1947, Qian Xuesen returned to his hometown and taught engineering and engineering science in Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiaotong University and Tsinghua University at that time, which caused a sensation. The Kuomintang government repeatedly refused to stay, but seeing the chaotic situation at that time, he resolutely refused and returned to the United States. Now, the new China has been born, and his ideal of a powerful country can finally be realized.
Shortly after returning to China, Qian Xuesen was organized to visit the Northeast. Along the way, he visited newly-built factories, hydropower stations, universities and research institutes. From the great achievements made in the six years since the founding of New China, Qian Xuesen personally felt the strength of China, the leader of China's * * * production party, and further strengthened his belief in serving the country.
During the visit, Qian Xuesen visited Harbin Institute of Military Engineering. General Chen Geng came to the college specially from Beijing to receive him. Chen Geng enthusiastically said to Qian Xuesen, "Harbin military industry opens its doors to welcome Mr. Qian Xuesen". When visiting a small rocket test-bed, Chen Geng asked him, "Can we make rockets and missiles?" Qian Xuesen replied without thinking: "What can't be done? Foreigners can make it, and China can make it! "
Chen Geng laughed after hearing this, shook Qian Xuesen's hand excitedly and said, "That's what you want!" Afterwards, Qian Xuesen learned that Chen Geng came to consult with him on the instructions of Defense Minister Peng.
After returning to Beijing, after careful consideration, Qian Xuesen proposed to China Academy of Sciences the establishment of a mechanical research institute. 1 month later, the Institute of Mechanics was announced, with Qian Xuesen as its director. Encouraged by Premier Zhou Enlai, he drafted the Opinions on Establishing China's National Defense Aviation Industry, and put forward the organizational plan, development plan and specific measures for China's rocket and missile undertakings. Qian Xuesen's opinions are highly valued by the CPC Central Committee. Premier Zhou Enlai personally presided over the meeting of the Central Military Commission, decided to set up the National Aviation Industry Committee, and entrusted Qian Xuesen to set up the first rocket and missile research institution in China-the Fifth Research Institute of the Ministry of National Defense.
1956101On October 8, the first anniversary of Qian Xuesen's return to China, the Fifth National Defense College was announced. Qian Xuesen gave an introduction to missiles to newly assigned 156 college students, and began to train the first batch of rocket and missile technicians in New China. 1In February, 957, Premier Zhou signed the the State Council Order, officially appointing Qian Xuesen as the first president of the Fifth Hospital of the Ministry of National Defense.
During this period, Qian Xuesen also participated in the formulation of 1956 to 1967 long-term planning outline for scientific and technological development. This is the first grand plan after the founding of New China. Qian Xuesen served as the leader of the comprehensive group composed of 12 scientists. Fifty-seven major research tasks have been planned, among which the development of atomic energy, missiles, computers, semiconductors, radio electronics and automation technology is the most urgent project. This laid the foundation for the development of science and technology in new China.
As one of the main founders of national defense science and technology in new China, Qian Xuesen has made great contributions. 1960, under his specific leadership, China successfully developed the first missile. After that, he personally presided over the technical research and test of China's "two-bomb combination" and successfully launched China's first missile nuclear weapon in 1966. 1965 The time was ripe to propose to the central authorities to develop and launch artificial satellites, and in 1968 he became the first director of the Institute of Space Technology. 1970, China's first artificial earth satellite was successfully launched, and the new China finally ushered in the dawn of the space age.
"I am party member, the producer of China."
That year, the US Department of Justice arrested Qian Xuesen, saying that he was party member. The New York Times later reported: "In the five years from 1950 to 1955, the US government became the persecutor of this scientist, arrested him as an alien producer, tried to change his mind, detained him against his will, and finally exiled him to his country."
1In September, 955, when Qian Xuesen stopped at Manila Port on his way home, a reporter asked him, "Are you party member?" Qian Xuesen replied: "party member is an advanced member of the proletariat, and I am not qualified to be party member!"
Qian Xuesen is a patriotic scientist, struggling to return to the motherland; Qian Xuesen was not born in party member, but he was accused of being a "production party" because of his patriotism. However, his personal experience after returning home gave him a strong desire to join the China * * * Production Party.
1958 One night at the beginning of the year, Qian Xuesen came to the home of Zhang Jinfu, secretary of the Party Committee of China Academy of Sciences, and made a solemn request to join the Party. 1958 10, in the third year of Qian Xuesen's return to China, the Party branch of the Institute of Mechanics passed his request to join the Party. 1959 65438+ 10, with the approval of the Party Committee of China Academy of Sciences, Qian Xuesen became the production party of China to prepare for party member, and in June of the same year 1 12 became a full member. On this day, Qian Xuesen was too excited to sleep all night. Thirty years later, he recalled: "On the anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China 10, I was accepted as a member of the China * * * Production Party. I am very excited at this time. I'm China producer party member! I am too excited to sleep. "
Since then, Qian Xuesen has been strict with his words and deeds according to the standard of * * * producing party member. He studies Marxist theory hard. He said: "I studied natural science and engineering technology in the United States. I am bent on saving the country with the science and technology I have learned. I don't understand politics. " "After returning to the motherland, I slowly studied Marxism and learned a little politics. I feel that science and politics must be combined."
"Even if it is purely technical work, there is a clear political direction. Otherwise, technical work will lose its direction and lose its motivation. " In a letter to a friend, he wrote: "I have been studying Marxist philosophy for nearly 30 years and have always tried to guide my work with Marxist philosophy. Marxist philosophy is the source of wisdom! "
Qian Xuesen attached great importance to his ideological construction. He is a great scientist and has been writing all his life. In his study, there are not only books on modern science and technology, but also many works on philosophy, politics, economy and literary theory. What makes people respect is that there are books in his study, such as Be a Man Like Lei Feng and Lei Feng Dictionary, which he has read carefully. He made a detailed induction and summary of Lei Feng's thoughts and behaviors from the perspective of behavioral science, trying to extract regular general principles.
Qian Xuesen has won numerous honors in his life, but what he values most is to be an excellent party member. 19911June16th, the State Council and the Central Military Commission held a conference in the Great Hall of the People and awarded Qian Xuesen the honorary title of "National Outstanding Contribution Scientist" and the "First Class Hero Model Medal". General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and president Yang personally presented awards to him. However, Qian Xuesen said in his speech, "I am not very excited today," he said. "In this year, I read the preface written by Comrade Wang for Biography. In this preface, he said that the Central Organization Department regarded Lei Feng, Jiao Youlu, Wang Jinxi, Shi Laihe and Qian Xuesen as outstanding representatives of party member, and they enjoyed high prestige among the masses in the 40 years since liberation. I am very excited. I am now a member of the working people and have connections with the most advanced elements among the working people. "
"The purpose of living is to serve the people."
Qian Xuesen said: "As a scientist, the purpose of my life is to serve the people. If the people are finally satisfied with my work, that is the highest reward. "
During the establishment of the Institute of Mechanics, he presided over the establishment of various professional subject groups according to the idea of technical science, actively advocated academic democracy, and was equal in front of scientific research regardless of rank. He founded the Department of Modern Mechanics in China University of Science and Technology, and concurrently served as the head of the department. When giving lectures to students, he found that many children of workers and peasants could not afford learning tools such as slide rule because of financial difficulties, so he did not hesitate to donate the remuneration of his newly published Chinese version of Engineering Cybernetics to the department to help poor students buy learning tools.
As the main technical director of China's national defense science and technology, he not only shoulders the heavy responsibility of grasping the overall technology, but also often gives specific guidance on the spot. During the nuclear weapon launch test of the "two-bomb combination" missile, he made every effort to ensure the safety of the people. There are thousands of components on the missile, and the failure of any component may affect the safety and reliability of the missile. He listed various possible problems in the form of tables, including transistors, potentiometers, capacitors, switch sockets, screws and nuts. This is very valuable for technical commanders who need to think about many important things.
Many people who know Qian Xuesen say that he is a great scientist, but he always has people in his heart. The 1960s was a crucial period for the development of national defense science and technology in China, and it was also a period when China suffered three years of natural disasters and the life of the whole people was very difficult. In order to ensure the normal work of scientific and technological experts, the party and the state try their best to take care of them. Marshal Nie Rongzhen specially sent some pork to supplement Qian Xuesen's nutrition. One day, the cook saw Qian Xuesen was too tired and made him a bowl of braised pork. Qian Xuesen, who is usually cheerful, suddenly sank his face and criticized the staff: "Do you know that people all over the country are living in difficulties now? Even Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou don't eat meat. I cann't believe you cooked me braised pork. Where is the party spirit? " Not only that, Qian Xuesen also paid the manuscript fees for his two newly published scientific masterpieces as party fees. He said, I want to tide over the difficulties with the people of the whole country.
During his leadership of national defense science and technology, Qian Xuesen often went deep into the experimental base in the desert Gobi. He was deeply impressed by the harsh natural conditions and the hardships of people's lives there. After retiring from the leadership position, he still cares about the people living in that land and thinks about how to change the environment there with science. In the mid-1980s, he put forward the idea of developing sand industry. He said: "The desert and Gobi in China are about 654.38+0.6 billion mu, which is as big as farmland. The desert Gobi is not nothing long. " "The potential of desert and Gobi is far from being brought into play." "The sand industry is engaged in agricultural production in the barren land, which is a large-scale agricultural production. This can be said to be another' cutting-edge technology'! " He also donated the Ho Lee Kee Gold Award of HK$ 654.38 million to the Sand Industry Development Foundation.
Now 94 years old, Qian Xuesen still cares about the long-term development of the country and thinks about the cultivation of scientific and technological innovation talents. On March 29th this year, he had a long talk with the staff around him in the ward of PLA General Hospital. He said, "I called you here today to talk to you about a problem that I have been thinking about recently, that is, the problem of talent training." What I want to say is not the cultivation of ordinary talents, but the cultivation of scientific and technological innovation talents. "He talked about the education method of his teacher Von Carmen from the American university education, the growth experience of many famous scientists in China from his own scientific research experience, and the long-term development of our country from the successful development of' two bombs and one satellite'. He profoundly said: "We should cultivate talents who can use their brains and have extraordinary creativity." After returning home, I feel that the country attaches great importance to me, but the socialist construction needs Qian Xuesen more, and the country will have great development. ""I'm over 90 years old this year. This is what worries me when I think about the long-term development of China. "
This is the loyalty of people's scientist Qian Xuesen.