Pictures: China unveils national museum honoring country's scientists

A new museum dedicated to China's pioneering scientists opened its doors to the public on Thursday in Beijing.

The National Museum for Modern Chinese Scientists honors the achievements of veteran researchers through hundreds of artifacts, images and six large-scale exhibits collected by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST).

The museum is free to enter, and visitors can explore a range of fascinating items, including some recently declassified documents. Documents dating back to 1962 related to China's development of its first atomic bomb are displayed.

These documents, freshly declassified in September 2023, offer a glimpse into a pivotal moment in China's scientific history.

The museum extends beyond its main exhibition, featuring five themed sections highlighting key scientists who significantly impacted China's progress, scientists who returned from abroad to contribute their expertise, and the writings of Flora of China.

The main exhibition dedicates a special corner to Zhou Peiyuan, a towering figure in Chinese theoretical physics and former dean of Peking University. Here, visitors can gain insights into his life work through artifacts like the typewriter he used in the 1930s, thesis papers penned by his students, and documents from the Pugwash Conference in 1958, where he represented China.

The CAST spearheaded the museum's construction. "We are grateful for the invaluable support from the scientists' families," said Wan Gang, head of the CAST's national committee.

The museum's inauguration coincides with China's eighth National Science and Technology Workers Day, further underscoring the nation's appreciation for scientific advancements.

(With input from Xinhua)