On the evening of September 6, the stars shined brightly in Hefei, Anhui. This city that advocates science and pursues innovation has once again put the spotlight on scientists.
Qian Xuesen, Yuan Longping, Huang Xuhua, Chen Liquan... As the names of scientists crossed the big screen, the 2026 "Write the Chapter of Youth on the Land of the Motherland" online theme publicity and interactive guidance activities for the ideological and political course was officially launched at the University of Science and Technology of China.
The event was hosted by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Education, the People's Daily, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League, and the Cyberspace Affairs Commission of the Anhui Provincial Party Committee. It aimed to inspire young people to fulfill their instructions and write their own chapter of a powerful country.
Event site. Photo by Science and Technology Daily reporter Sun Yu
At the beginning of the ideological and political course, Chang Jin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and president of the University of Science and Technology of China (hereinafter referred to as the ‘University of Science and Technology of China’), talked about three tokens – the ‘Two Bombs and One Satellite Merit Medal’ donated to the school by Mrs. Guo Yonghuai, the red bricks made by teachers and students when the school moved to Hefei in 1970, and a set of photos of contemporary scientific and technological innovation achievements. He entrusted the Yin Yin students, "I hope you will be as caring about your family and country as the fathers of the 'Two Bombs and One Satellite', be self-reliant and self-reliant like the 'Senior Brick Burners', and bravely scale new heights together with the contemporary people of the University of Science and Technology." ’
Chen Liquan, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and winner of the 2025 National Highest Science and Technology Award, also came to the scene. As an ‘old senior’ from the University of Science and Technology of China in 1959, he shared his experience in researching lithium batteries. “Many people thought I was crazy if I left my good major to study the unpopular battery. But I always believe that China will one day popularize cars, especially electric cars, and one day it will need batteries. ’ Chen Liquan said, ‘Looking back, without the basic research of ‘from 0 to 1’ and the determination to sit on the bench for decades, how could China be the world leader in the ‘three new things’ today? ’
Now, 86-year-old Chen Liquan has a new ideal - "Electric China", that is, electrification of transportation and the development of electric vehicles, electric ships, electric aircraft, electric trains, etc. He said to the young students in the audience, ‘I am already old, and there must be some of you who are more open-minded than me. ‘Electric China’ depends on you! ’
After more than 10 years of high-level amputation and more than 700 dialysis sessions, Wang Ji, a researcher at the School of Computer Science at the National University of Defense Technology, is still charging forward on the new journey of strengthening the country and the army. ‘As long as my brain can still think, I will be a warrior on the scientific research battlefield; as long as my hands can still type on the keyboard, I can continue to ‘charge’. ’ Wang Ji said, ‘Students, no matter where you go in the future, please remember to ‘resonate with the country’ and place yourself where the country needs you. The road will naturally get wider and wider. ’
The role models who have straightened the backbone of the country are still working hard, and the runners on the youth track have stepped onto the stage of the times. A month ago, He Yugang, co-founder of Guoyi Quantum, rang the bell for the company’s listing. He took his first step in entrepreneurship from his alma mater, the University of Science and Technology of China. His entrepreneurial start-up began with a passage from his mentor, Academician Du Jiangfeng: "my country's high-end instruments are controlled by others. The cost of a piece of equipment has increased from 6 million to 10 million, and maintenance has to be queued for half a year." ’ That night, He Yu tossed and turned, determined to make my country’s own high-end instruments. Starting from a small 14-square-meter office at the University of Science and Technology of China, he and his team have now developed the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer with the highest signal-to-noise ratio in the world.
'Young partners who have ideas, passion and ability may wish to try bravely, I believe there will be good results! ’ He Yu said.
When personal struggles merge into the current of the times, a grand industrial picture slowly unfolds. At the event, the ‘heads’ of four car companies, BYD, NIO, Chery and Jiangxi Automobile Group, took to the stage to answer students’ questions and also issued ‘invitations’ to talents.
‘The chip I have in my hand is NIO’s self-developed Shenji chip, which is the world’s first car-sized 5nm smart driving chip and has been fully installed in mass-produced vehicles. ’ Li Bin, founder and chairman of Weilai, said, ‘I look forward to meeting more young partners here who dare to think and are promising, and work together to create the car of the future. ’
The appearance of Pan Jianwei, Shi Yunyu, Zhao Zhengguo, Chen Xianhui, Feng Donglai and other academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences pushed the atmosphere of the party to the climax. From quantum satellites in the vast space to microscopic particles in underground laboratories; from cutting-edge quantum material research to ultra-high-brightness advanced light sources to endless pursuits at the molecular level of life, these scientific research predecessors have consolidated the foundation of the country's major scientific and technological infrastructure and original innovation with long-term persistence.
‘Bravely venture into no man’s land’ is their message to the younger generation. ‘The path of science and life is never smooth, but we must find the joy and happiness of life in the process of overcoming difficulties. ’ Shi Yunyu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said, ‘It has been the dream of generations of Chinese scientists to bring Chinese science and technology to the forefront of the world. We have ushered in a great leap from standing up, getting rich, and becoming strong, but we still need to work hard, and our hope lies in you, the younger generation. ’
‘Students, the future of China’s cutting-edge science and technology lies in your relay run! come on! ’ said Pan Jianwei, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The lights gathered together, and the high-spirited singing of "The Motherland Will Not Forget" resounded throughout the audience. "Integrating youth into the rivers of the motherland" sings the voice of those who serve the country through science and technology, and also sings the direction that countless young people are heading towards. When the eternal east wind blows again, under the scientific starry sky, someone is bravely moving forward.
Science and Technology Daily reporter Sun Yu
