A hundred years of turmoil, a hundred years of vicissitudes. From the founding of the Communist Party of China in 1921 to this year, it has gone through 100 years of ups and downs and brilliant glory. 100 years ago, the voice of "science to save the country" was incessantly heard, and generations of scientific and technological workers forged ahead in a pioneering spirit, enlightened the people to make innovations, vigorously developed productive forces, promoted the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, and promoted the continuous civilizational progress of society. Today, 100 years later, a "scientific and technological power" is becoming a reality. China's science and technology giant ship has sailed on the vast ocean of the blue planet by wind and waves.
I. The Cry of Science to Save the Nation (1921-1930)
A large number of pioneers of scientific research were born in the stormy late sunshine period, they have traveled the sea to learn from the Western powers, most of them have a strong sense of distress, a strong sense of patriotism and the desire to serve the country, the pursuit of truth and yearning for progress. Science moves forward with difficulty from the blue wisps of the road.
The word "science" first came from Yan Fu's hand. In 1898, Yan Fu translated Huxley's "TheOry of Heavenly Speech". The word "science" is officially translated as science. In the early years of the Republic of China, Sun Yat-sen said of science and technology: "What China does not have is science. The strength of the West is science, with two hundred years of work, to study inventions, to nearly fifty years. It's a lot of progress. ”
In 1914, Ren Hongjun, Yang Quan, Zhu Kezhen, Bingzhi, Hu Mingfu, Zhao Yuanren and others jointly initiated the organization of the Chinese Science Society in the United States and students studying in the United States, and on October 25 of the following year, the Chinese Science Society was formally established in the United States, with the purpose of "contacting comrades and jointly planning the development of Chinese science", providing an academic platform for the group of scientists, igniting the "spark of stars" of "Mr. Sai", and helping the new cultural movement in China with "Mr. Sai" as the banner. At the same time, the China Science Society founded the monthly magazine "Science", which was published in Shanghai in January 1915, and put up the banner of "disseminating science, seeking truth and applying" to save the country through science, which became an inseparable part of the new cultural movement and gave birth to the outbreak of the "May Fourth Movement".
Lan Zhaoqian, a young student in China, was the first to put forward the term "science to save the country.". In China at that time, warlords were fighting, people's livelihood was poor, and science and technology were backward. He wrote an article entitled "Science on National Salvation" and sent it to Science magazine, which was preparing for the event. In order to publish this article in time, Ren Hongjun pushed it to the existing journal "Quarterly Journal of Students Studying in the United States", which was published in the summer of 1915, and the editor of The Special Editor said: "This article is the work of "Science" sent by Lan Jun. In the eighth issue of Science, it is edited and published in a timely manner. Lan Jun's article must not be born as soon as possible, because of the seizure of Shiwu's "Quarterly Report". It can be seen that at that time, the trend of science to save the country has become the general consensus of foreign students and Chinese society, and has gradually become a force to promote China's progress.
Lan Zhaoqian pointed out in "On Scientific National Salvation": "Who is the crux of our country's poverty and weakness? Science is also. It is a profound and profound study, and all the methods of prosperity and strength are also ,...... It is therefore a scientist, the basic plan to save the country. All politics, armaments, transportation, industry, finance, education, all depend on the developed. ”
Image source: baidu.com
Ren Hongjun, Zhu Kezhen, Bingzhi and others, while promoting the development of Science magazine in China, directly wrote articles for Science magazine, disseminated scientific knowledge, and advocated and advocated for science. Ren Hongjun, in the "Publication Words" of the first volume of "Science", strongly exclaimed: "Following the past, DaiXing and the forest of Shenzhou scholarship, and those entrusted by all sentient beings, their only science, their only science!" In just a few words, he expounded the power of science and made a bold declaration for science to save the country. Subsequently, five directors jointly published the "Letter to The Students Studying in the United States" in the 8th issue of The 2nd Volume of "Science", shouting for "science to save the country": "Science is the special color of modern culture, the source of the prosperity and strength of the West, the facts are all there, and there is no special display." We will take the scholarship of the other and save the life of my dying country. The development of shetu science is inexplicable. As one of the directors, Bingzhi put forward the recipe of "science to save the country": "The happiness of mankind in the world today is not caused by science, the weakness of our country is not enough to worry about, if science can be developed, it will become weak and reasonable, the poverty of our country will not be enough, if science can be developed, then there is a cure for poverty, and all the difficulties of our country can be solved by resorting to science in an attempt to solve it." ”
In the autumn of 1918, the Chinese Science Society moved back home from the United States. As a result of the society's pioneering voice of "saving the country through science", it made full theoretical preparations for the advocates of the "May Fourth" new cultural movement to put forward science and democracy (that is, Mr. Sai and Mr. De), and played a positive role in promoting the "May Fourth" new cultural movement afterwards. Chen Duxiu proposed: "Only these two forms (Mr. Sai Science, or Science, and Mr. Demorcracy, or Democracy) can cure all the darkness of Chinese politics, morality, and academic thought." He also proposed: "If because of the support for these two gentlemen, all the oppression of the government, the attack and scolding of society, that is, the severed head and bloodshed, will not shirk." The "May Fourth" new cultural movement has encouraged young people to dedicate themselves to the cause of science, bred a number of scientific elites, devoted themselves to the spiritual pillar of the cause of national salvation, guided a large number of intellectuals to embark on the road of scientific salvation, and promoted the development of modern science in China.
Before the May Fourth Movement, Chinese science can be said to be in the initial stage. There are no scientific research institutions other than the Geological Survey. At that time, the work was limited to introducing western scientific and technological achievements or introducing some famous scientists abroad. After the May Fourth Movement, the scientific structure was continuously strengthened, and many scientific groups and scientific research institutions appeared, such as the Peking Research Institute and the Central Research Institute. Research institutions have appeared in universities, societies and enterprises, and have begun to have their own scientific research results, which have played a positive role in the start-up and development of China's science and technology.
From the perspective of communication, the idea of "science saving the country" is a kind of communication proposition with the purpose of saving the country. The idea of "science to save the country" in "Science" presents a complete strategy for saving the country with science as the core means. Divided by the objects of dissemination, the dissemination of scientific ideas for national salvation in "Science" is carried out from three levels: individual, social and national. At the individual level: the dissemination of scientific knowledge, scientific concepts, and the dissemination of scientific ideas for national salvation must first be premised on the growth of scientific knowledge and the cultivation of scientific concepts. The first task is to disseminate scientific knowledge to the general public. Scientific knowledge mainly includes scientific theoretical knowledge and practical technical knowledge, in the second article of the inaugural issue of "Science", "Saying that China has no science", it is mentioned: "The scientific person, the intellectual and the big name of the system." In a broad sense, all those whose intellects are subordinate, who are subordinate to each other, who are in order to have one thing in order, can be called science. In a narrow sense, the reasoning of intellect about a certain phenomenon is heavy on experimentation, and its observation is coherent, and it can be related to each other separately and draw out its large examples. Ren Hongjun's article "On the Spirit of Science" published in 1916, Vol. 2, No. 1, made an incisive analysis and exposition of science and the spirit of science, which helped the Chinese people to understand the connotation of science more deeply: "Who is the spirit of science? The search for truth is already... The reason why scientists know is based on facts, tests as evidence, deductions as tables, and testimonies as decisions, and they have no tolerance for the teachings that have been established, the words of predecessors. Ren Hongjun believes that China not only lacks science, but also lacks the spirit of science, and if China wants to develop science, it must vigorously carry forward the spirit of science.
Since then, under the influence of the idea of "science saving the country", China's scientific undertakings have gradually developed. At the end of the 1920s, the Chinese Science Society proposed three ways to save the country from the perspective of natural science: research, popularization and application.
II. Scientific and Technological Undertakings in the Border Areas Led by the Communist Party (1935-1948)
The Communist Party of China attaches great importance to the role of science and technology. During the period of the Central Soviet Region, the basic scientific and technological knowledge was compiled into the textbooks of workers and peasants. During the Long March, the radio group led by Cai Wei, a soldier of the Red Army, successfully intercepted and deciphered the Kuomintang's communications and secret telegrams, thus getting rid of the Pursuit and Suppression of the Kuomintang Troops. For this, Xu Xiangqian rewarded Cai Wei with 300 silver dollars. In June 1935, the Central Red Army and the Red Fourth Front successfully met the division at Maogong. Mao Zedong said: "Your comrades in the Red Fourth Army Radio have worked hard, and they have merit! Before and after the four crossings of the Red River, you provided information that enabled us to overcome the difficulties relatively smoothly. "In order to do a good job of technical secrecy, when the Red Army was stationed in Moutai Town, some foreign journalists who followed were not allowed to enter Moutai Town.
Founder of radio communications of the Red Fourth Front
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, in order to promote the social development of production in the Liberated Areas, the Communists headed by Mao Zedong strengthened the study of science and technology, encouraged scientific research and technological application, and paid attention to the cultivation of scientific and technological personnel. At that time, in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, the level of culture and education was low, and scientific knowledge was extremely lacking. In the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, which has a population of only 1.5 million, there are more than one million illiterate people, including more than 2,000 witches, and superstitious activities have a great impact on the broad masses.
In order to alleviate this situation, the central government has formulated a series of relevant science and technology policies. In 1937, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued the "Decision on the Participation of Party Members in Economic and Technical Work", emphasizing that engaging in scientific and technological research work is an important part of revolutionary work, and encouraging scientific researchers to work hard for the War of Resistance in a down-to-earth manner. Article 14 of the Administrative Program of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region clearly stipulates: "Popularize national education,...... Reward free research, respect intellectuals, advocate scientific knowledge and literary and artistic movements, and welcome scientific and artistic talents. In 1941, the agricultural production plan of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region stipulated: "Improve tools, improve technology, improve farming methods, and increase the income of fine grains by two liters per mu ...
At the same time, the government of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region has successively established scientific and technological personnel training institutions such as the Yan'an Academy of Natural Sciences, the China Medical University and the Agricultural School of the Border Region, the Yan'an Pharmaceutical School, the Yan'an Motorcycle School, and the Northern Shaanxi Communication School; and opened up the "Science Garden" in the "Liberation Daily", which published a total of 26 issues and published nearly 200 articles. In an editorial published by liberation daily, the liberation daily called on scientific and technological personnel and the people in the liberated areas to "raise up the weapon of science and make joint efforts to persist in the war of resistance, unity, and progress, eliminate fascist beasts, and strive to the end for a peaceful, happy, and scientifically bright tomorrow."
In order to encourage the creative contribution of scientific and technological personnel, the Liberated Areas have formulated a series of incentive policies. For example, in April 1939, the "Regulations on The People's Production Incentives of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region" were promulgated; in 1941, the "Regulations on Rewarding the Improvement of Industrial Technology by the Construction Department of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region" and the "Regulations on Rewarding Production Technology in the Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region" were promulgated; in 1946, the "Regulations on Scientific Inventions in Jin-Cha-Ji" were promulgated; and in 1948, the "Interim Regulations on Rewarding Scientific Inventions and Technological Improvements in North China" were promulgated. The border area also held various exhibitions, gave special treatment to technical personnel, and interviewed and reported on the advanced deeds of scientific and technological personnel, such as the "Liberation Daily" on November 20, 1944, which reported in detail the excellent deeds of Dong Yongfang of Jiaodong Xinhua Pharmaceutical Factory in pharmaceuticals.
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the total number of scientific and technological personnel in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region was less than 400, but they created miracles in the border area, which was once a desert of science and technology, solved the materials urgently needed at that time for economic construction and the great cause of the War of Resistance, attracted and trained a large number of scientific and technological talents, popularized the scientific and technological knowledge urgently needed by the masses, promoted economic and social development, and laid a better foundation for the development of new China's scientific and technological undertakings.
Famous scientists who actively worked for the Communist Party of China during the Republic of China period were the mathematicians Chen Jiangong, Su Buqing, and Hua Luogeng, geologists Bingzhi and Li Siguang, bridge experts Mao Yisheng, meteorologists zhu Kezhen, chemists Hou Debang (alkali-making authority), Zeng Zhaozhuo, physicists Wu Youxun, Zhao Zhongyao, and Zhu Guangya, architect Liang Sicheng, and so on. For example, during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Bingzhi was ill and lived in Shanghai for 8 years. He changed his name to Zhai Jiqian and "lived in seclusion" with a beard. He insisted on doing research and completed a variety of treatises. At the same time, under the pseudonyms of "Ji Qian" and "Fu Qi," he published articles in newspapers and periodicals to expose the enemy's crimes and inspire the people's resistance to the war. During the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, he donated all four real estate he had purchased in Nanjing to the state for the purchase of aircraft cannons. Another example is the architect liang Sicheng (April 1901 - January 1972), a professor at Tsinghua University, who has made great achievements. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he participated in the urban planning work of Beijing, presided over the design of the national emblem and the Monument to the People's Heroes, and participated in the design of the top ten buildings in Beijing. Guan Zhaozhi (February 1919 to November 1982), a famous mathematician, system and control scientist and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, made outstanding contributions to the orbit measurement of Artificial Satellites and the control of nuclear submarines in China, and won many scientific and technological awards such as the Special Prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award. He said that science is the crystallization of the development of wisdom and the truth, which is an objective fact that cannot be changed. As a party member, he often said: "I am a communist first, then a scientist".
It is worth mentioning that many progressive students and Communist Party members of Southwest United University have made important contributions to China's scientific and technological undertakings, such as botanist Wu Zhengyi and geologist Tu Guangzhi. Wu zhengyi joined the Communist Party of China in 1946. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, he refused Professor Li Jitong's generous intention to recommend him to go to Harvard University in the United States for further study and engage in research in China. At the end of the Cultural Revolution, he did not hesitate to hand over the reissued salary of more than 20,000 yuan as a party fee to the party organization, and won the country's highest science and technology award in 2008. After graduating in 1946, Tu Guangchi went to the United States to study and secretly joined the Communist Party of China in the United States. After the founding of New China, under his mobilization, in 1950, more than 120 overseas students returned to the motherland aboard the President Esson Hauser and began to struggle to realize the aspiration of "serving the country through science" and became the pioneers of China's geochemical research. (To be continued)
Call for Papers
China Science Exploration Center WeChat public account welcome to give the manuscript!
The content of the manuscript takes anti-counterfeiting and breaking the mystery as the core idea, and can be involved in the fields of scientific popularization, scientific culture, philosophy of science and technology, science and the public, secular humanism, and scientific and technological ethics, aiming to inform the public of the results of scientific exploration without prejudice and avoid the public being deceived.
Once the manuscript is adopted, it will be paid.
Submission Email:
China Science Exploration Center
Advocating science, anti-pseudo-delusion