Countless mourn father of China's space program
- Source: Global Times
- [02:58 November 02 2009]
- Comments
Qian worked for the defense ministry and helped laid the foundations for a nuclear weapons program that detonated its first device in 1964 and for a space program that achieved China's first manned space flight in 2003.
A mourning hall was set up at Qian's home in Beijing for the public, where people with flowers showed up Monday to express condolences.
At Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where Qian studied from 1929 to 1934, some 2,000 students held a memorial service Saturday to pay respect.
Local residents of Xiaoying Alley in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, carried white chrysanthemums Saturday and mourned in front of Qian's portrait set on a stone tablet.
Online users showed their admiration of the scientist.
A Web user in Shaanxi called on authorities to hoist a flag at half-mast in Qian's honor.
"This is to remember and honor those individuals who made great contributions to the nation. Qian was such a man. Hoisting a flag at half-mast shows respect to Qian, and to science workers. The ceremony should not be constrained to political figures," the Internet user wrote on ifeng.com.
The Beijing News published an editorial Monday urging people to learn from his devotion to science and aspiration for truth.
Zhang Han contributed to this story
