Leading by example and dedicating oneself to the country: In commemoration of the 99th anniversary of Deng Jiaxian's birth

Deng Jiaxian was a famous nuclear physicist in my country and one of the pioneers and founders of China's nuclear weapons research and development. He made important contributions to the organization, leadership and planning of China's nuclear weapons work. In 1980, he was elected as a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (academician). In 1999, he was posthumously awarded the "Two Bombs and One Satellite" Medal of Merit by the state.

June 25, 2023 is the 99th anniversary of Deng Jiaxian’s birth. Let us remember him together!

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A man of integrity and determination to serve the country

Deng Jiaxian was born in Huaining County, Anhui Province on June 25, 1924. His father, Deng Yizhe, was a famous aesthetician and art theorist who had studied in Japan and the United States and taught at Peking University, Tsinghua University and other universities. Deng Yizhe named his son "Jiaxian" with the meaning that the fruit of the wheat is called "Jia", which indicates that it will be rooted, fruitful and mature in the land of China and benefit the people.

At the age of 5, Deng Jiaxian followed his father to attend primary school in Beijing. At the age of 12, he was admitted to Beijing Chongde Middle School. At the age of 17, he was admitted to the Department of Physics of Southwest Associated University. His father Deng Yizhe once told Deng Jiaxian: "You must study science in the future. Science is useful to the country." Deng Jiaxian kept his father's instructions in mind and was determined to serve the country with science. In 1947, Deng Jiaxian was admitted to the Department of Physics at Purdue University in the United States. In the autumn of the following year, he traveled across the ocean to study in the United States. Deng Jiaxian's grades were outstanding. In less than two years, he completed all the credits and passed the thesis defense and obtained a doctorate degree. On August 29, 1950, 9 days after obtaining his doctorate degree, Deng Jiaxian boarded the President Wilson ship and returned to his motherland, which was in need of reconstruction.

After returning to China, Deng Jiaxian entered the Institute of Modern Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and engaged in research on atomic nucleus theory. Someone once asked him what he brought back from the United States. Deng Jiaxian said humorously: "I brought a head full of knowledge about atomic nuclei." At the institute, Deng Jiaxian made pioneering contributions to China's nuclear theory research and gradually became one of the leading figures in nuclear theory. In 1956, he gloriously joined the Communist Party of China.

Difficult business, forging swords to protect the country

One day in 1958, Qian Sanqiang found Deng Jiaxian and said, "The country is going to set off a 'big firecracker'," and asked him if he was willing to participate in this work that must be kept strictly confidential. Deng Jiaxian agreed without hesitation. On the night he accepted the task of developing the nuclear bomb, he told his wife that he would be transferred to another job and would no longer be able to take care of the family and children. He said, "My life is dedicated to future work. If I do this well, my life will be meaningful, and it will be worth dying for it!"

For the prosperity of the motherland and the development of China's national defense research, Deng Jiaxian was determined to devote everything to the country. Since then, he has become the person in charge of the theoretical design of China's first atomic bomb.

Deng Jiaxian (second from right) at the Xinjiang nuclear test site

Deng Jiaxian hid his identity and devoted himself to the development of nuclear weapons. Theoretical research requires huge data calculations, but at that time, they only had a computer and some electric hand-cranked calculators. A large amount of data calculations can only be completed with slide rules, abacus, paper and pen. In order to verify a key data, Deng Jiaxian led the researchers to calculate over and over again, and bundles of draft paper were packed into sacks from the ground to the roof, filling up several warehouses. After three years of research, Deng Jiaxian led the scientific researchers to basically complete the theoretical design and calculation of the atomic bomb. On October 16, 1964, the first atomic bomb developed by my country was successfully tested in Lop Nur, Xinjiang. On June 17, 1967, China's first hydrogen bomb was successfully tested in Lop Nur. From atomic bomb to hydrogen bomb, China took only 2 years and 8 months, which shocked the world.

Deng Jiaxian spent a full ten years at the test site. The wind and frost of the desert turned his hair white, and the years rolled over the Gobi Desert, leaving deep marks on his face.

Leading by example and dedicating oneself to the country

"If you dedicate yourself to the country, what can't you do? If you dedicate yourself to the country, what can't you dare to do?" Deng Jiaxian served as a leader in nuclear testing for a long time. At critical moments, he always rushed to the front line, led by example, and risked his life. He personally experienced nuclear testing 32 times and served as the on-site commander 15 times. In dangerous moments such as inserting detonators for nuclear weapons and processing uranium balls, Deng Jiaxian always insisted on working with the operators. This fearless spirit of not fearing sacrifice and risk deeply infected every scientific researcher.

In 1979, during a nuclear test, the parachute did not open and the warhead fell into the Gobi Desert and disappeared. After Deng Jiaxian's team found the nuclear warhead, in order to confirm whether there was a risk of explosion, he rushed into the scene despite being stopped and said, "You are still young, you can't go!" He understood how strong the radiation in the warhead was, but he also knew what this warhead meant to the country. He regarded the cause of the country as more important than his own life.

In 1979, in the Gobi Desert at the Xinjiang Nuclear Test Base, Deng Jiaxian is on the left

After returning to Beijing, Deng Jiaxian's wife forced him to go for a checkup. The results showed that almost all the test indicators were abnormal, his urine contained radioactive substances, and the chromosomes in his white blood cells had turned into powder. But Deng Jiaxian still insisted on working and returned to the base to continue directing nuclear weapons testing.

Keep the country in mind and make the country shine with loyalty

In 1985, Deng Jiaxian was diagnosed with rectal cancer. He said calmly, "I knew this day would come, but I didn't expect it to come so soon." After that, his condition became more serious, and the cancer cells spread over a large area, causing him great pain. Even so, in the last days of his life, Deng Jiaxian's mind was still occupied by China's nuclear cause. He endured the pain and co-authored the "Proposal for China's Nuclear Weapons Development Plan" with nuclear physicist Yu Min, bringing China's nuclear weapons development to the laboratory simulation level before the total ban on nuclear testing.

In the last month of his life, the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China decided to declassify him. At this time, people first knew the name of Deng Jiaxian. Before his death, Deng Jiaxian's last words were: "Don't let others leave us too far behind." On July 29, 1986, Deng Jiaxian left us forever. Ten years later, on July 29, 1996, China successfully conducted its last nuclear test. The Chinese government solemnly announced: From July 30, 1996, China will suspend nuclear testing.

"If I could be reborn after my death, I would still choose China and the nuclear industry." He transformed his love for his parents, wife and children into a great love for his country and nation. The scientist spirit represented by Deng Jiaxian has been cast into an integral part of Chinese culture. His immortal name will always shine in the sky of history; his outstanding achievements will always be remembered in the hearts of the people; his noble character will always inspire scientific researchers to work tirelessly.

Produced by Yuanbao Studio

Planning | Ma Shiyu Zhao Mumu

Photo and text | Zhao Mumu

Poster | Pei Ke

Video | Shi Jialing

Note | This article is published by China Atomic Energy Publishing and Media Co., Ltd. Please do not reprint without permission!