Title: Renowned Scientist Qian Xuesen Views 'Three Represents'
Document Number: FBIS-CHI-2002-0722
Document Region: China
Document Date: 24 Jun 2002
Sourceline: CPP20020722000120 Beijing Renmin Ribao (Internet Version-WWW) in
Chinese 24 Jun 02
AFS Number: CPP20020722000120
Citysource: Beijing Renmin Ribao (Internet Version-WWW)
Language: Chinese
Subslug: Report by Tu Yuanji: "Comprehend Important Thinking of 'Three
Represents' From High Plane of Integrating Science, Politics -- On
Comrade Qian Xuesen's Study of Important Thinking of 'Three Represents'"
[FBIS Translated Text] In February, 2000, during an inspection tour in
Guangdong Province, General Secretary Jiang Zemin advanced his important
thinking of "Three Represents." Approaching the age of 90, Comrade Qian
Xuesen quickly realized that it was a key theory. He began scanning all
the media reports with great attention, asking us to buy him reference
books. Later, we bought him a few reference books on the theory. At
an old age, lying in his bed, Comrade Qian Xuesen began reading those
books in real earnest, reflecting on the theory. He also time and again
discussed with us what he had learned from those books. On 11 December,
2000, namely, his 89th birthday, Comrade Qian Xuesen held another more
detailed talk with us about the theory.
Reverend Qian remarked: Today is my 89th birthday. I have lived a
long life, longer than my teacher Carmen's [should be: von Kármán].
I owe this to the party and the state for taking care of
and showing concern for me. When in the United States, I studied
natural science and engineering technology. I longed to serve
my country with the science and technology I was learning
at the time. I had no idea what politics was. In the early 1950s,
McCarthyism began running wild in the United States, and I was
persecuted. By that time, I had come to see through my personal
experiences what democracy really was. After returning to the
motherland, I studied further and gradually acquired a little knowledge
about Marxism and politics. I strongly believed that science must
integrate with politics. It can be said that what I have done since my
return to the motherland are about integrating science with politics.
This is also true even with my pure technological work, which has also
followed a clear-cut political direction. Otherwise, my technological
work would have gone astray, deprived of a driving force as well.
In modern times, a person, especially a leading cadre and a senior
cadre, must know a little about science, for political knowledge alone is
not enough. A person must also learn to integrate science with politics
through persistent efforts. For a long time, our party has stressed
that leading cadres, senior cadres in particular, should follow a correct
political direction and master the art of superb political leadership
while learning at the same time modern scientific and cultural knowledge,
thus heightening the cultural level of leadership. The core of the
three generations of the CPC leadership have persistently set great store
by both politics and science, with successful efforts in integrating the
two. Because of this, they have offered superb political leadership
when faced with complicated situations.
I have personally met with the core of the three generations of the
CPC leadership. Chairman Mao founded the new China, this being a signal
achievement making the dream of Chinese people over the past nearly one
hundred years come true. At that time, I was in the United States. I
was very happy after hearing that and decided to return to the motherland
to take part in the building of the new China. Although my plan was
later obstructed, my dream finally came true in 1955. After my return
to China, I met old Chairman Mao on several occasions, during which he
also discussed with me a few scientific issues. I was impressed by his
wisdom, a wisdom built on his learning of the Marxist philosophy,
history, literature, and art, including his practice during the
revolutionary wars. Chairman Mao also attached great importance to
scientific issues and spared no efforts in analyzing them. Hs two
theoretical works, entitled "On Practice" and "On Contradictions"
respectively, represented, in my view, a glorious chapter in the Marxist
philosophy. Back in the motherland, I repeatedly studied those two
works and learned a lot from them. When in the United States, I studied
applied mechanics, including jet propelling and engineering control
theories, all about technological sciences. As you know, technological
sciences are based on an integration of theories with practice. I
selected topics for my dissertations in line with my practice with
aeronautic engineering and rocket technology. I also compared my
theoretical results with laboratorial data, with tests conducted in
practice. It was after repeated tests that I finally completed one
research project after another, with research results applied in
engineering practice. This was exactly a process Chairman Mao had
mentioned in his "On Practice."
Practical engineering issues always tend to be complicated and hinge
on a variety of factors. In those years, we had merely limited
calculation means to conduct research. How could we tackle nonlinear
issues? We had no choice but to simplify them. In so doing, we had to
understand those issues thoroughly, thus grasping the key contradictions.
With the key contradictions identified, we were able to rationalize our
simplification of the issues before having it applied in engineering
practice. Is it not true that that was also exactly a process Chairman
Mao had mentioned in his "On Contradictions"? When in the United
States, I had conducted research for more than 10 years before coming up
with the above practices. All of a sudden, I found my practices already
mentioned by Chairman Mao in his "On Practice" and "On Contradictions."
This explains why I often mention Chairman Mao as a great man. Of
course, in those years, sciences were not as advanced as they are today.
I also held talks with Comrade Deng Xiaoping. When China decided to
build "two bombs," Comrade Deng Xiaoping gave us unreserved support. At
the office of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, Comrade Deng
Xiaoping listened to our report and said: "Go ahead with those plans.
If successful, you take the credit. If unsuccessful, the Secretariat
take the responsibility." Comrade Deng Xiaoping had complete trust in
intellectuals, boldly elevating them to key posts. We were greatly
inspired by his remarks. After China launched reform and opening up,
Comrade Deng Xiaoping did much more for our nation in his capacity as the
core of the second generation of the CPC leadership. He advanced the
theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, this being an
unprecedented and bold theoretical breakthrough. In delivering his "1
July" speech, General Secretary Jiang acknowledged: Deng Xiaoping
Theory "has done the best job in inheriting and creatively developing Mao
Zedong Thought under the new historical conditions, with signal
contributions in opening up brand-new vistas for China's socialist
cause."
Comrade Deng Xiaoping once said: "Intellectuals are a component of
the working class"; "science and technology are productive forces"; and
especially, "science and technology are the primary productive forces."
His important thinking represented a phenomenal development of the
Marxist theory on social productive forces and embodied a profound
understanding of how important science and technology are to modern
society. Clearly, Comrade Deng Xiaoping kept abreast with the
development of the times. Through his major theoretical views, he did a
great service for China's modernization drive. Comrade Deng Xiaoping
also stressed: In selecting successors, we must stress both political
and scientific qualities. In my view, one of his important
contributions was his selection and elevation of Comrade Jiang Zemin as
the core of the third generation of the CPC leadership.
Truly, General Secretary Jiang Zemin has inherited and developed
Marxism, Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, and Deng Xiaoping Theory. In
this process, he has proven himself a true Marxist, for Marxism should be
a constantly developing theory. We should not blindly follow outdated
doctrines. Instead, we must develop our theories in light of a new
situation and through our new practice. By development, I mean bringing
forth new ideas and keeping abreast with the development of the times.
It is good for us to emphasize keeping abreast with the development of
the times. Under the leadership of the third generation of the CPC
leading collective with Comrade Jiang Zemin as the core, China has made
headway with each passing day, in reform, opening up, and modernization
building, with fresh success on a regular basis. Look at today's world,
have we seen any other country developing as fast as ours?
By advancing his important thinking of "Three Represents," General
Secretary Jiang Zemin has made a tremendous development of Marxism,
Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, and Deng Xiaoping Theory, this being a key
event with an impact on China's development for a long time to come. I
am studying his thinking in real earnest. If not, I would fall behind,
unable to keep abreast with the development of the times.
We should comprehensively comprehend and understand the important
thinking of "Three Represents." What is crucial in so doing is, I
believe, for us to persistently integrate science with politics.
Nowadays, China and the world are developing so fast, at a tremendous
pace! We have witnessed the era of information, computers, the
Internet, bioengineering, the gene bank, economic globalization, WTO,
among others. How can people stop learning? How should people keep
abreast with the development of the times? The world is moving forward
with giant strides. Were people to stop learning, they would fall
behind others without even knowing about it. It may matter little if
one person falls behind. However, a nation that falls behind is bound
to find itself in passivity, defeated and humiliated by others, deprived
of a seat on the world stage as well. Is it not true that China once
had a similar bitter lesson in modern history? In the past, I once told
a story about the Ford Motor Corporation in the United States. As a
skilled technician, Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Corporation because
he had vision. He also introduced advanced assembly lines and hired an
experienced expert as his manager at the time. By accurately assessing
the market, Henry Ford also established a marketing network. Finally,
he turned the Ford Motor Corporation into an "auto empire." Years
later, advanced in years, Henry Ford stopped mastering advanced science
and technology and managerial expertise. His thinking became
stereotyped and conservative. In the end, his "auto empire" reached the
brink of collapse under fierce competition. His grandson, the younger
Ford, took over from him. Skilled in management and with scientific and
technological training, the younger Ford also fully understood the trend
of development within the auto sector at the time. As soon as he took
over the corporation, he launched a series of drastic reforms, reviving
the dying corporation in the end. This is a true story about an
enterprise. I believe that it is still more the same with a country, a
nation, and a political party.
By calling for integrating science with politics, I have actually put
forth a huge concept. Certainly, by "politics," I mean Marxism,
Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, and Deng Xiaoping Theory, as well as the
basic line and major principles and policies the CPC must follow in
governing the country. By "science," I mean not only natural sciences
and engineering technology but also social sciences, mathematics, systems
science, among others. In the past, I once proposed that China
establish a modern scientific and technological system, consisting of 11
major departments, each containing three levels, namely, basic sciences,
technological sciences, and engineering sciences, with the Marxist
philosophy serving as the ultimate theoretical summation of various
sciences. By modern science, I refer to not just natural sciences but
also a system comprising 11 key departments, each containing three
levels. We'd better learn a little about what the 11 key departments
do, mastering dialectics as well. Only by so doing will we be able to
broaden our vision and avoid one-sided and shortsighted views. This is
also what the Marxist outlook on science demands.
During my talks with General Secretary Jiang, I found that he has
excellent training in science and technology, a keen interest in a wide
range of issues, and a strong desire to learn. Each time we met, he
would discuss with me a few scientific and technological issues. I
still remember that in 1999, shortly after taking office at the central
level, together with Comrade Li Peng, he had a meeting with me inside the
Zhongnanhai, discussing the issue of "Crowell Jr. Prize." Prior to our
talks, he discussed with me for a long time several issues concerning
system engineering, showing a keen interest in the subject. I gave him
right away the book "On System Engineering." After that, General
Secretary Jiang delivered several speeches, aptly quoting the principles
of system engineering. One day in around 1991, the phone in my home
rang suddenly. I picked it up and heard the voice of General Secretary
Jiang. "Comrade Xuesen, I'd like to consult you on two issues.
Nowadays, physicists are talking about the theory of superabstruseness
and the phenomenon of turbidity. Would you please say something about
them?" I replied: "I have written an article on the issues. I will
forward them to you for reference." Later on, I delivered him a
dissertation written by me, entitled "Basic Scientific Research Must Take
Marxist Philosophy as Guide," in which I addressed several abstruse
scientific and philosophical issues in modern physics. Occupied with a
myriad of state affairs, General Secretary Jiang still managed to draw
time to study the latest physical theories. On 11 January, 1995, my
colleagues and I submitted to General Secretary Jiang a dissertation
entitled "We Should Study How To Greet 21st Century." It had taken us
one year to write it. A few days later, having read our dissertation,
General Secretary Jiang alone came to my home by car. I remember that
it was on 29 January. We talked for nearly three hours about a few
major issues discussed in the dissertation. I saw that he was extremely
concerned with China's long-term development. I know that General
Secretary Jiang has also regularly discussed with quite a few other
scientists key issues relating to scientific and technological
development. He also often invites experts in different specialties to
the Zhongnanhai to lecture the central leaders on scientific,
technological, economic, and legal issues. Thanks to his sound
scientific and political training, General Secretary Jiang has integrated
the fundamental tenets of Marxism with significant scientific,
technological, cultural, and military changes in the contemporary world
and China, coming up from a high plane with his important thinking of
"Three Represents." Indeed, the "Three Represents," which includes
representing the demand of China's advanced productive forces
development, representing the direction of China's advanced cultures
development, and representing the fundamental interests of the broadest
majority of people in China, is profoundly scientific in content.
In learning and studying the important thinking of "Three
Represents," we must learn to view its backdrop and significance through
integrating science with politics. Instead of being purely political or
scientific in nature, "Three Represents" signals an organic integration
and distillation of science and politics. Certainly, it is no easy job
to integrate science and politics, as this requires superb wisdom.
However, "Three Represents" reflects exactly such wisdom through a
theoretical summation.
General Secretary Jiang is also chairman of the Central Military
Commission. Why has he been able to command the whole army? In my
view, the reason is that he has been able to integrate science and
politics, or integrate scientific, political, and military affairs. His
important thinking of "Three Represents" calls for representing "the
fundamental interests of the broadest majority of people in China," which
is also the aim of our party and our people's army. In view of the
nature of our army, Chairman Mao put forth his thinking on a people's
war, under which, our army has defeated superior enemies and won
revolutionary wars. Considering a new situation, General Secretary
Jiang has set about further developing the thinking on a people's war by
urging us to study new strategies and tactics aimed at inheriting and
carrying forward under hi-tech conditions the thinking on a people's war.
He has also called for upholding the party's absolute leadership over
the armed forces, building strong armed forces with science and
technology, stepping up quality building within the armed forces. In so
doing, he has innovated on and developed the integration of science and
politics for army building. General Secretary Jiang has also laid
emphasis on both the dynamic role of human beings in a war and the
importance of modern weapons and equipment. In view of the dialectical
relations of human beings and weapons, he has also demanded "an optimal
integration of human beings and weapons." After studying his thinking,
I thought it over for a long time. I realized that his is the best view
on this topic. For years, handling relations between human beings and
weapons has been a key research topic in military science. To do so, we
have to overcome subjective idealism by refraining from overemphasizing
the role of human beings. At the same time, we must also overcome the
worship of weapons by refraining from overemphasizing the role of
weapons. Of course, we should understand the dialectical relations of
human beings and weapons. Yet, this alone is not enough. General
Secretary Jiang has hit the nail on the head by demanding an optimal
integration of human beings and weapons. By so doing, he has made clear
the dialectical relations of the two. His thinking is also
user-friendly, with explicit guiding principles for the establishment and
training of armed forces and for equipment development, under which those
responsible for the establishment and training of armed forces have to
analyze the characteristics of new weapons and equipment, while those
responsible for weapons and equipment development have to analyze how to
ensure user-friendliness. Only by so doing is it possible to secure an
optimal integration of human beings and weapons and bring into full play
the fighting capacity of armed forces. For some time, our equipment may
still lag behind that of others. Nevertheless, being a people's army,
our armed forces may still maintain the upper hand ideologically and
politically. By bringing into full play the dynamic role of human being
and optimally integrating human beings and weapons, we will be able to
defeat enemies armed with superior equipment. Yet, the crux of the
matter is whether or not we are able to secure "an optimal integration"
during the establishment and training of forces with the existing weapons
and equipment.
General Secretary Jiang's thinking may also apply to sectors other
than the military. For instance, we have developed computers, networks,
and intelligence systems. Yet, no matter how advanced our automatic and
intelligence systems may become, human brains will remain irreplaceable.
In view of this, insofar as computerized intelligence systems are
concerned, I have proposed that "human beings and computers be
integrated," with emphasis on the former. In so saying, I believe that
computers must be allowed to do whatever they are capable of while human
beings must be encouraged to think creatively. We must view human
beings and computers as an integral system. We must work hard to secure
"an integration of human beings and computers" by stressing the former
and allowing the two to benefit each other with their respective strong
points. Abroad, some people are still unaware of dialectics in this
respect. They have kept stressing the role of machines and computers,
with a huge amount of funds spent the development of human intelligence
systems that have proven to be inferior to human brains. We must avoid
taking a similar road.
On 31 May, 2002, General Secretary Jiang delivered at the Central
Party School an important speech, calling for holding high the great
banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory, comprehensively implementing the
requirements of "Three Represents," keeping abreast with the development
of the times, and striving to open up fresh vistas for the cause of
building socialism with Chinese characteristics. After reading the
media reports, Comrade Qian Xuesen, over the age of 90, set about
conscientiously studying the speech. Comrade Qian noted: In his
speech, General Secretary Jiang stated that with the arrival of the new
century, China has entered a new stage of development, with stress on
comprehensively building a comparatively well-off society and expediting
a socialist modernization drive. General Secretary Jiang also stressed
the need to bring forth a new train of thought for development, secure a
fresh breakthrough in reform, and open up new vistas for opening up. In
my view, what General Secretary Jiang has stressed is one word, namely,
"new." In particular, General Secretary Jiang has also called for
developing socialist democracy and building socialist political
civilization. In my view, this signals an important theoretical
development, with which we are able to turn China's socialist
modernization drive into an integral system aimed at building socialist
material civilization, socialist spiritual civilization, and socialist
political civilization.
Comrade Qian Xuesen stated: In one word, General Secretary Jiang
Zemin's important thinking of "Three Represents" is rich in content. I
am still studying it. Many good articles written by the theoretical
circles are also worth reading. The above are merely what I have
generalized thus far.
[Description of Source: Beijing Renmin Ribao (Internet Version-WWW) in
Chinese -- Internet version of daily newspaper of the CPC Central
Committee (People's Daily). Root URL on filing date:
http://www.peopledaily.com.cn]
