Prize proposed to honor China's "father of space program": survey

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-10 23:54

BEIJING: A recent online survey showed more than three quarters of the Chinese public polled agreed that a prize for outstanding scientists should be set up to honor Qian Xuesen, "father of China's space program."

According to the survey conducted by the China Youth Daily, close to 78 percent of the 3,381 people polled since last week said the government should establish a "Qian Xuesen Prize" as a special reward and incentive to exceptional scientific talents in China.

The proposal came as the latest development of a string of events to honor Qian, after the legendary scientist died on October 31 at the age of 98.

Last Friday, China announced a plan to build a library in honor of him in Shanghai Jiao Tong University for his contributions.

Also known as Tsien Hsue-shen, Qian is widely remembered in China for abandoning a decent life in the United States and returning to then poor China in the 1950s.

Qian is considered to have played a key role in China's missile and aviation programs after the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949.

According to the China Youth Daily survey, close to 89 percent of the people polled agreed that patriotism was the most admirable attribute of Qian Xuesen.

More than 89 percent picked China's atomic and hydrogen bombs and artificial satellite programs as Qian's biggest achievement in his life, according to the survey.