China News Service, Chengdu, September 12 (Shan Peng) "It is the selfless dedication and arduous struggle of the older generation of scientists that have brought us the wonderful life we have today." Last year, a group of Tibetan students from Aba Prefecture, Sichuan, walked into the "Two Bombs City" in Zitong, Sichuan. The emotion of a Tibetan girl after the visit was unforgettable to Guo Xiaosha, a first-level commentator at the Sichuan Two Bombs City Museum.
The "Two Bombs City" is located in Zitong County, Mianyang City, Sichuan Province. It is an important historical witness site for my country's nuclear weapons development. It preserves a number of facilities closely related to the development of "two bombs and one satellite" such as the academy's office building, intelligence center, and Deng Jiaxian's former residence. The former residence now houses the Sichuan Two Bomb City Museum and the Aerospace Science and Technology Museum. It is a national demonstration base for patriotism education, a national study and practice base for primary and secondary school students, and a core position for Zitong County to build a strong sense of the Chinese nation’s community.
The picture shows the Liangbang City located in Zitong County, Mianyang, Sichuan. Photo by reporter Liu Zhongjun
In Zitong's practice of building a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation, the "spiritual highland" role of the "Two Bomb City" is irreplaceable. At that time, Wang Ganchang, Deng Jiaxian and other "two bombs and one satellite" founders and scientific researchers from all ethnic groups from all over the world gathered here to work incognito, tenaciously tackle key problems, and forge "important weapons of the country" to defend national security; people of all ethnic groups in Zitong obeyed the needs of national construction, took the initiative to work hard, donated money and materials, and did their best to support the construction of the base. This period of history itself is a magnificent epic of scientific and technological workers and builders of all nationalities "working together in unity and prosperity and development together."
Nowadays, the "Two Bombs City" uses red tourism as a link to transform the spirit of "two bombs and one satellite" into a "real-life classroom" that promotes exchanges and integration of all ethnic groups and builds a strong sense of the Chinese nation's community. It has become an important starting point for Zitong to build an "excellent and characteristic cultural communication carrier" and a bright business card for ethnic work.
Jia Lurong, head of China's "Two Bombs and One Satellite" Red Cultural Society Science Popularization Base, said that in recent years, Zitong County has increased efforts in the construction and management of scenic spots, insisting on protecting, managing, and utilizing revolutionary cultural relics, and strictly abiding by the principle of "restoring the old as before, restoring its original appearance, displaying it in its original state, and inheriting its spirit." A total of 900 million yuan has been invested to complete the protective repair and exhibition upgrade of 167 historical buildings, including the academy office building, the intelligence center, and Deng Jiaxian's former residence. After the Sichuan Two Bomb City Museum and Aerospace Science and Technology Museum were completed and opened, they have received more than 1.3 million tourists since their opening in 2024.
The picture shows the former residence of Deng Jiaxian in Liangtan City, Mianyang. Photo by reporter Liu Zhongjun
Red resources must be "alive", and historical facts should speak for themselves and the spirit should enter the heart. Jia Lurong said that the local government has deeply explored the story of national unity contained in the spirit of "two bombs and one satellite", and told the story of the hard work and vigorous collaboration of people of all ethnic groups and scientific researchers during the development of "two bombs and one satellite" and the construction of the "third line" through physical exhibitions, explanations, and immersive experiences. A total of more than 350 historical materials and physical exhibits related to national unity have been collected and compiled, and more than 20 new exhibition boards with the theme of "Children of all ethnic groups build nuclear shields for the country" have been added.
In order to teach history as a "class around you", Zitong established the "Two Bombs and One Satellite" red cultural propaganda studio, created and staged more than 10 sitcoms such as "Monument of Heroes", and performed nearly 400 publicity performances, covering more than 300,000 people. Visitors stopped in front of the monument, meditated in front of the old residence, looked back on the years of anonymity and overcoming difficulties in the melodrama, and also enhanced their sense of identity and belonging to the Chinese national community in the shared memory.
The picture shows tourists visiting the Sichuan Liangbangcheng Museum. Photo by reporter Liu Zhongjun
Behind the popularity of red tourism is a resonance that resonates directly with people’s hearts. Guo Xiaosha remembered that in summer camps for youths of all ethnic groups across the province, 128 students laid flowers in memory of Deng Jiaxian in front of his former residence, expressing their desire to study hard and serve the motherland. She believes that the spirit of "two bombs and one satellite" closely connects the future and destiny of individuals and nations with the destiny of the country; the commentator not only tells the history, but also conveys the common spiritual roots of the Chinese nation. This is the power of the "real-life classroom" of "Two Bombs City".
Jia Lurong said that the next step will be to further explore the historical materials of national unity and progress in the spirit of "two bombs and one satellite" and integrate the tour guide's explanation and exhibition details; relying on the new positions of the Sichuan Two Bomb City Museum and the Aerospace Science and Technology Museum, more immersive study courses and cultural and creative products will be developed to inject more lasting power into the cause of building a strong sense of the Chinese nation's community. (over)
