The Ground-Breaking Ceremony of Qian Xuesen Library Grandly Celebrated 

On the morning of June 6, the ground-breaking ceremony of Qian Xuesen Library celebrated grandly on Xuhui Campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This marked that the construction of Qian Xuesen Library would enter a new phase.

Shanghai Mayor, Han Zheng, Deputy Political Commissar of PLA General Armament Department (GAD), Huang Zuoxing, Vice Minister of Ministry of Education, Lu Xin, the Deputy Secretary of Shanghai Municipal Party Committee, Yin Yicui, member of the Standing Committee and Director of the Publicity Bureau of CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, Yang Zhenwu, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, Shen Xiaoming, Deputy Director of Political Department of GAD, Liu Jianguo, Deputy Political Commissar of the Equipment Department of PLA Second Artillery Force, Ju Zhipeng, deputy General Manager at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Yuan Jie, Deputy General Manager of China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation, Fang Xiangming, Architect of Qian Library, He Jingtang, Party Secretary and Chairman of Shanghai Construction Group, Jiang Zhiquan and others attended the ceremony. Present at the ceremony were also representatives of Qian Xuesen’s former colleagues and representative of his family members, Qian Yonggang. Leaders of SJTU Ma Dexiu, Zhang Jie, Sun Dalin, Xu Fei, Lin Zhongqin, Zhang Wenjun, Wu Dan, Huang Zhen, Li Jianqiang, and senior leaders Fan Xuji, Wang Zongguang, Xie Shengwu, Jiang Xiuming, Tao Aizhu, Shen Weiping, Fan Zude, Bai Tongshuo, Ye Dunping, Mao Xingyun and members of central groups and representatives of teachers and students as well participated. President Zhang Jie presided over the ceremony.

Qian Xuesen, as a glorious model of intellectuals in China, is truly a distinguished scientist who enjoys a good reputation both at home and abroad and the father of China’s space industry. With outstanding contributions to the science and technology cause in both China and even the world, he has won universal appraise. In 1991, he was awarded the honorary title of “China’s Outstanding Scientist with Outstanding Contributions” conferred by the State Council and the Central Military Commission. The central government decided to build Qian Xuesen Library on Xuhui Campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, to vigorously promote Qian’s inspiring deeds, outstanding contributions and lofty character. And it bears the great realistic significance and far-reaching historical significance in implementing the scientific concept of development, implementing the strategy of revitalizing China through science and education, carrying forward the national spirit and the spirit of the age, enhancing the construction of the socialist core value system, and forming the favorable atmosphere to respect labor, knowledge, intellectuals and creation.

First speech was given by Party Secretary of SJTU, Ma Dexiu. She said that, in May 2005, approved by the Central government, the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee issued “The Work Scheme to Build Qian Xuesen Library”, which required that Qian Xuesen Library should be built into the “National Demonstartion Base for Patriotic Education” which can fully reflect the noble spirit and scientific achievements of Senior Qian with a certain scale, level and greater impact. In her speech, Ma dexiu said that SJTU as alma mater of Senior Qian Xuesen, considered it a great honor and glorious mission to undertake this important national task. “This shows the great confidence the party and the people have in us. We will certainly devote ourselves to living up to the expectations.” Ma Dexiu remarked that the smooth progress of the library building was closely related to the attention and guidance given by the Central Publicity Department, the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Municipal Committee of the CPC and Shanghai Municipal Government. The appreciation also went to PLA General Armament Department, Second Artillery Force, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation, Institute of Mechanics, CAS, Xinhua News Agency, and August 1st Film Studio for their support. On behalf of all teachers and students and medical staff of SJTU, Ma Dexiu will follow the example of Senior Qian to highlight the patriotic spirit of sincere loyalty, the spirit of selfless dedication, the meticulous spirit for truth-seeking, the innovative spirit of commitment to exploit, and make due contributions to the prosperity of the country and the national rejuvenation. Ma Dexiu said that since it was a glorious mission given by the central government, SJTU would strictly follow the requirements and deployment of the central to “ensure quality, safety and progress as well”. With elaborate design and meticulous construction, the task will be completed with high standards and quality.