Chinese nuclear physicist Yu Min who was behind the country’s first successful hydrogenbomb test, won China’s top science and technology award on Friday.
Chinese President Xi Jinpingpresented the award to Yu at the Great Hall of the People inBeijing during an annual ceremony held to honor the most distinguished scientists andresearch achievements.
Like other scientists who participated in China’s development of atomic weapons andsatellites from the 1950s onward, Yu Min did his earlier work in secret – his name was notknown to the public until he retired in 1988.
It is a story of patriotism. In the eyes of today’s young people, Yu and other foundingfathers of nuclear technology, including Deng Jiaxian and Qian Sanqiang, are like saints.Without any thoughts of material gain or vanity, these scientists hid in the research andtest bases in the mountains or deserts, often absent for years.
Some of them did not live long enough to get national award. Others who did are alreadysilver haired. They have devoted their lives to the technology that makes up the nation’spower and strength.
We are thankful that China became a nuclear country decades ago. Without the Stateleaders’ decision to develop nuclear bombs or the scientists’ devotion, China might not beable to achieve today’s status and strategic confidence.
Yu has received 5 million yuan ($805,000) with this award. Public opinion almostunanimously agreed that he deserves the award. Comparing with some entertainers whoeasily make millions a year, people say 5 million is really not too much for what Yu did forthe country.
In the years when the founding fathers of China’s nuclear or space programs did theirresearch, China also saw political upheavals like the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).
The country in those years was much poorer and less developed. But Yu and his colleaguesdid not complain, they shared their pride and pains with their motherland.
However, with the country’s economic prosperity today, some people began to think theconcept of a state is no longer important. Some even uphold individualism and laugh atpatriotism. This is na ve.
The market economy has its role in maximizing productivity while addressing people’sdemands. However, the market economy alone can not support the country’s ability tostand with dignity in the world stage.
Many scientists today have become “marketized,” facing various material lures. Learningfrom scientists like Yu can help them not to get lost in vain pursuits. They need toremember to shoulder their responsibilities to the country and society.