In the morning of June 6, the foundation stone laying ceremony of Qian Xuesen Library was held ceremoniously in Shanghai Jiaotong University Xuhui Campus, indicating that the construction of Qian Xuesen Library has stepped into a new stage.
Han Zheng, Deputy Secretary of Shanghai Municipal Party Committee, Huang Zuoxing, Deputy Political Commissar of General Armament Department, Lu Xin, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education, Yin Yicui, Deputy Secretary of Shanghai Municipal Party Committee, Yang Zhenwu, Member of Shanghai Municipal Party Committee, Shen Xiaoming, Vice Mayor, Liu Jianguo, Deputy Director of the Political Department of General Armament Department, Ju Zhipeng, Deputy Political Commissar of the Equipment Department of the Second Artillery Corps, Yuan Jie, Vice General Manager of CASA, Fang Xiangming, Vice General Manager of China CASIC, He Jingtang, designer of Qian Xuesen Library, Jiang Zhiquan, CPC Party Secretary and President of Shanghai Construction Group, and others attended the laying ceremony. Representatives of Qian Xuesen’s former employers and his relatives also attended the ceremony, including Ma Dexiu, Zhang Jie, Sun Dalin, Xu Fei, Lin Zhongqin, Zhang Wenjun, Wu Dan, Huang Zhen, Li Jianqiang, Fan Xuqi, Wang Zongguang, Xie Shengwu, Jiang Xiuming, Tao Aizhu, Shen Weiping, Fan Zude, Bai Tongshuo, Ye Dunping, Mao Xingyun, members of the central team and representatives of teachers and students. The laying ceremony was presided by President Zhang Jie.
Qian Xuesen was a glorious model of Chinese intellectuals, a world famous outstanding scientist and the founder of the Chinese aerospace industry. He made a lot of contributions to the scientific and technical undertakings of China and even the world, which has also won him a lot of praises. In 1991, he was awarded the honor of “National Outstanding Contribution Scientist” by the State Council and the Central Military Commission. The central government decided to build a Qian Xuesen Library in Shanghai Jiaotong University Xuhui Campus to promote his inspiring deeds, outstanding contributions and noble spirit. This is of significant importance in implementing the scientific outlook on development and the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education, promoting national spirit and times spirit, pushing forward the construction of socialist core value system and creating a favorable atmosphere featured by respecting labor work, knowledge, talents and innovation.
According to staff from the construction command office of Qian Xuesen Library, the library, with a total construction area of 7960m2, will be located at Shanghai Jiaotong University Xuhui Campus built in 1896. The outside design philosophy is “love for the earth and world-shaking breaking of stone”. On one hand, the “square stone” stands for Qian Xuesen’s patriotism for his motherland; on the other hand, the missile breaking out of the stone represents the great undertaking of “two bombs and one satellite”. The designing plan is featured by simple but powerful square buildings which are abstract expressions of the story that he has spent his whole life in Gobi desert to make contributions to the country. It is estimated that Qian Xuesen Library will be established and opened in December next year at his centennial birthday.
Qian Yonggang delivered the speech on behalf of Qian Xuesen’s family.
Qian Xuesen’s eldest son Qian Yonggang expressed sincere thanks to those who care about Qian Xuesen and support the construction of Qian Xuesen Library on behalf of all his family members. Qian Yonggang said that he would continue to work hard to make contribution to the establishment and opening of Qian Xuesen Library.
On the ceremony, the General Armament Department, the Second Artillery Corps and Qian Xuesen’s family donated documents and materials related to Qian Xuesen to Shanghai Jiaotong University. Ma Dexiu received the donations and award donation certificates on behalf of the university.
Han Zheng, Huang Zuoxing, Lu Xin, Yin Yicui, Yang Zhenwu, Shen Xiaoming, Ma Dexiu, Zhang Jie, He Jingtang, Qian Yonggang, Liu Jianguo, Ju Zhipeng, Yuan Jie, Fang Xiangming, Jiang Zhiquan and others earthed up and laid the foundation for Qian Xuesen Library.