In 1956, hundreds of experts were called by
Zhou Enlai,
Chen Yi,
Li Fuchun and
Nie Rongzhen to make plans for China's scientific development, eventually creating an outline of development for the period from 1956 to 1967 (1956-1967年科学技术发展远景规划纲要).[8]
In 1958, Mao formally announced the development of nuclear bombs, missiles and satellite.[7] At the same time, the
Soviet Union had provided China with important assistance since 1955, even though on December 10, 1957, the Soviet Union proposed that the
United States, the
United Kingdom, and the
USSR should halt nuclear weapons tests for the next two to three years, to which China supported.[9][10][11]
In 1961–62, there was a disagreement among senior officials of the
Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government on whether China should continue with the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" project.[14] Eventually, in November 1962, a central committee led by Zhou Enlai, Nie Rongzhen and others was established, and the project was carried on.[12][14]
In 1966, Mao launched the
Cultural Revolution. Academics and intellectuals were regarded as "
Stinking Old Ninth" and were widely persecuted.[12] In 1968, among the leading scientists who worked on the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" program,
Yao Tongbin was beaten to death and
Zhao Jiuzhang committed suicide,[15][16] and
Guo Yonghuai was killed in a plane crash.[17] By September 1971, more than 4,000 staff members of China's nuclear center in
Qinghai were persecuted. More than 310 of them were permanently disabled, over 40 people committed suicide, and five were
executed.[18] Many researchers with overseas education background (especially from the
United States and the
United Kingdom) were regarded as "spies".[19] Only a few scientists including
Qian Xuesen were protected in the Revolution because of
a special list made by Premier Zhou Enlai (approved by Mao) in August 1966.[12]
Ultimately, China developed the atomic and hydrogen bombs in record time.[25]: 218
After the Cultural Revolution,
Deng Xiaoping became the new
paramount leader of China and started the "
Boluan Fanzheng" program. Scientists and intellectuals were rehabilitated and, in particular,
Yao Tongbin was honored as a "
martyr".[26] Deng emphasized that knowledge and talented people must be respected, and the wrong thought of disrespecting intellectuals must be opposed.[27]
In 1986, four leading scientists who had worked on the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" program proposed to Deng that China must stimulate the development of advanced technologies. Upon Deng's approval, the "
863 Program" was launched.[28]
In 1999, twenty-three scientists who had made significant contributions in the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" program were awarded the Two Bombs and One Satellite Merit Award (Chinese: 两弹一星功勋奖章).[29][30] In 2015, the "Two Bombs, One Satellite Memorial Museum" was opened on the
Huairou campus of the
University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.[31]
List of Two Bombs, One Satellite Meritorious Medal recipients
^"Qian Sanqiang". Atomic Heritage Foundation.
Archived from the original on 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
^Crean, Jeffrey (2024). The Fear of Chinese Power: an International History. New Approaches to International History series. London, UK:
Bloomsbury Academic.
ISBN978-1-350-23394-2.
^"我国制定《1956-1967年科学技术发展远景规划》". Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China (in Chinese).
Archived from the original on 2013-06-09. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
^Norris, Robert S.; Burrows, Andrew S.; Fieldhouse, Richard W. (1994). Nuclear Weapons Databook, Vol. 5: British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
Various conventions, treaties, agreements, memorandums, charters or declarations establishing and governing intergovernmental organisations or inter-agency bodies dealing with space affairs