President Jiang Greets China's Rocket Pioneer

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, December 12, 2001

President Jiang Greets China's Rocket Pioneer

Chinese President Jiang Zemin Tuesday morning paid a personal visit to rocket scientist Qian Xuesen at his home in Beijing. Jiang shook hands warmly with Qian, and inquired about his health and daily life.

The president advocated greater respect for knowledge and science among the public, and pledged enhanced efforts by the government to protect the creative spirit and enthusiasm of scientists.

President Jiang greets Qian Xuesen

Chinese President Jiang Zemin Tuesday morning paid a personal visit to rocket scientist Qian Xuesen at his home in Beijing.

Jiang shook hands warmly with Qian, and inquired about his health and daily life.

Though confined to bed at the age of 90, the scientist gets up very early in the morning, and starts to read newspapers at a special desk on his bed.

Qian thanked Jiang for his third visit to him. The other two were in 1996 and 1999, respectively.

Qian returned to China from the United States in 1955. He was one of the leading scientists in developing China's own nuclear bombs, missiles and satellites.

Jiang and Qian exchanged views

Jiang and Qian exchanged views on how scientific and technological progress can contribute more to the country's reform and modernization.

Jiang noted that China's remarkable achievements in economic and social development over the past two decades could not be separated from the efforts of the country's scientists and technicians.

The reinvigoration of the Chinese nation could only be achieved through the development of education and science, Jiang said.

He stressed the importance of innovations in science and technology, especially in fundamental and strategic areas.

The president advocated greater respect for knowledge and science among the public, and pledged enhanced efforts by the government to protect the creative spirit and enthusiasm of scientists.

Qian said he shared Jiang's idea. He also told the president that he will never cease his studies or his devotion to the service of the people.

Upon leaving, Jiang urged Qian as well as his wife and children to take good care of his health and life.

President Jiang was accompanied on the visit by Vice-Premier Li Lanqing and other senior officials.

Qian Xuesen (Chien Hsuch-Sen)

Scientist in applied mechanics, space technology and system engineering. Born in Shanghai. Graduated from Shanghai Jiaotong University in 1934. Received Ph.D. from the Department of Aeronautics and Mathematics, California Institute of Technology, USA in 1939. Research professor and senior advisor, State Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, executive president and honorary president, Presidium of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and chairman and honorary chairman, China Association for Science and Technology.

Qian has obtained great attainments in the areas of applied mechanics, engineering cybernetics and system engineering and made distinguished contributions to the foundation and development of Chinese aerospace undertaking. He has been conferred the title of "Scientist with Distinguished Accomplishments".

He became Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1957.

Qian Xuesen: "Father of China's Aerospace", profile from People's Daily Online

Qian is forerunner pioneering the development of China's aerospace science and technology. He has been honored as "father of China's aerospace" and "king of rockets".

Qian was graduated from the Mechanical Engineering Department of Shanghai Jiaotong University in 1934 and was enrolled in Tsinghua University for studying abroad with public funds in the same year. In 1939, he was granted doctor's degree in aerospace and mathematics in the US.

Qian returned to China in 1955 under the solicitous care of the late Premier Zhou Enlai. Four months after he got back home he submitted "Proposal of Setting up China's Aerospace Industry for National Defense" to the State Council. According to his proposal, the State Council and the Central Military Commission set up the Committee of Aerospace Industry-- a leading body for missile and aerospace science study and Qian was named as a member on the Committee. In 1956, He committed himself to organizing the Fifth Institute under the Ministry of National Defense-the First Rocket and Missile Research Institute and was appointed as first president of the Institute. He chaired over formulation of the program of "Projecting Jet and Rocket Technology", participated in the development and production of short-range missile, medium short-range missile and the first man-made earth-orbited satellite in China. He directly presided over carrying out experiment on atomic bomb with medium short-range missile and participated in the first development plan of interstellar aviation in China. He is the founding father of Engineering Control and systematic science.

"A Marxist Will Absolutely Not Fail to Love the People and the Motherland", Renowned Scientist