China says farewell to 'father of space technology'

BEIJING: About 10,000 people gathered at the Beijing Babaoshan Cemetery to say farewell to Chinese space scientist Qian Xuesen Friday morning.

Joining them were President Hu Jintao, former President Jiang Zemin and other top leaders Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang.

A statement, issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Friday, described him as "an outstanding CPC member, loyal communist fighter, renowned scientist at home and abroad and founder of China's space program."

Qian's body was cremated after the ceremony.

Black scrolls were hung in the hall, on which his schoolfellows, colleagues and students left words, in white characters, to remember Qian, a traditional Chinese way to show respect for the deceased.

Qian, widely acclaimed as the country's "father of space technology," died of illness in Beijing on October 31 at the age of 98.

Also known as Tsien Hsue-shen, Qian was considered to have played a key role in China's missile and aviation programs after the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949.

In 1956, based on Qian's position paper on the country's defense and aviation industry, the government set up an aviation industry committee, which later became the leading organization for China's missile and aviation programs.

Under his guidance, China finished the blueprint on developing jet and rocket technologies. He also played a significant role in developing the country's first artificial satellite.

"I had been an assistant to Mr. Qian. He was a very serious and devoted scientist but, in everyday life, he was so easygoing," said Liu Juntao, a senior research fellow with the Chinese Academy of Space Technology, at the ceremony. "The way he worked and thought is still inspiring me."

Since Sunday, thousands of people have paid homage at his home.

"I was deeply moved. I did not expect so many people to come to mourn him," said Qian Yonggang, his son.

Flowers and mourning wreaths, brought by visitors, filled the doorway of the apartment building and workers had to repeatedly move them away.

Wei Li, a student of Xi'an Jiaotong University, said he felt a personal attachment to Qian after he joined a pilot program initiated by and named after Qian, which tried creative methods to educate young scientists.

"My classmates and I were shocked when the news came to us. We held a candle light rally for him Sunday night," he recalled. "I learned a lot about him. My heart was heavy as a master fell."

Wei attended the farewell ceremony on behalf of all the classmates in the program.

"I would like to tell him that we will pass on his legacy and fulfill the missions he did not have the time to do," he said.

Qian is widely remembered for abandoning a decent life in the United States and returning to then poor China in the 1950s.

"There was a huge gap between life here and in the United States in the 1950s when China had just gone through a devastating civil war," said Zheng Nanning, president of the Xi'an Jiaotong University and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

"We should remember all intellectuals of older generations like Qian for their deep love and devotion to the motherland."

After graduating from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 1934, Qian studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later at the California Institute of Technology. In 1939, he received a doctorate in aviation and mathematics.

In 1947, at the age of 36, Qian was a professor at the Massachusetts Institute.

He decided to go back to the mainland after New China was founded but, amid the McCarthyism of the 1950s, allegations were made that he was a communist who stole confidential information about the U.S. government.

Qian was put in prison for 15 days, followed by house arrest under surveillance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for five years.

In June 1955, a letter from Qian managed to reach then Premier Zhou Enlai, resulting in Sino-U.S. talks which led to his release.

Together with his wife and two children, Qian sailed for more than a month before arriving in the mainland.

He joined the CPC in 1958.

Source: China Daily

Chinese Father of Missile -- Qian Xuesen (China Culture.org)

Qian Xuesen, a famous scientist in modern China, is a member of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering. He was bornin in Hangzhou City of Zhejiang Province in December 1911. Qian graduated form Shanghai Jiaotong University in 1934. In 1935, he went to the United State for advanced study in MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). After receiving master's degree in MIT, Qian went to study in California Institute of Technology. In 1939, Qian received PhD degrees of both aerospace and mathematics and left the school to be a teacher, as well as a researcher studying the applied mechanics and rocket and missile theories.

Qian returned to China in 1955. After his return, Qian has served successively as director-general with the mechanics institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences, deputy director-general and director-general with the fifth research institute of the State Defense Ministry, vice chairman with the Seventh Design and Research Institute The Ministry of Machinery Industry, deputy director-general with the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, president with the 3rd China Association for Science and Technology, vice president with the 6th to the 8th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Currently, Qian is the senior consultant with the Commission of Science and Technology of the General Equipment Ministry of the People's Liberation Army, honorary president with China Association for Science and Technology. In 1957, Qian won the first prize of the natural science by Chinese Academy of Sciences, in 1979, the outstanding alumnus prize by California Institute of Technology, in 1985, first prize of national advanced technology awards, in 1989, the title of "World's Celebrity for Sciences and Engineering", and in 1991, China's outstanding scientist with outstanding achievements and the nation's first-grade medal for heroic models.

In 1956, Qian put forward "Proposal on the Development of China's Aviation Industry for National Defense" and assisted Zhou Enlai, the then premiere, and Marshal Nie Rongzheng to prepare the establishment of China's first missile and rocket R&D structure, the Fifth Research Institute of State Ministry of Defense. In October 1956, Qian assumed office of director-general with the fifth research institute. Henceforth, Qian has long been in charge of the chief technological officer with the R&D of China's missile, rocket and spacecraft, and has contributed greatly to the establishment and development of China's missile, rocket and spacecraft undertakings. Qian is a forerunner pioneering the development of China's aerospace science and technology. He has been honored as "Father of China's Missile".

A few weeks back during the preparation of China's 60th PRC celebratio President Wen paid his respects to China's ederly Scientists and Qian Xuesen  was one of the many.

China's Premier visits elderly scientists to convey National Day greetings (NewsGD).

Wen later visited keystone space scientist Qian Xuesen, 98, one of the founders of China's astronautics science.

It was the Premier's fourth visit in recent years to the scientist who was father of China's rocket and satellite development. Qian's work has been recognized by a "National Scientist of Outstanding Dedications" award from the central government.

"You have devoted your whole life to the development of the country's defense technologies, and we are very happy to see you are still energetic," Wen told Qian.

"We wish you a long life," Wen said.

"I'm trying to live to be 100-years-old," Qian said.