On April 18, China Railway Bridge Survey and Design Institute held a symposium commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Academician Fang Qinhan. Huang Yanqing, Party Secretary and Chairman of the Bridge Institute, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. Xiao Haizhu, Member of the Party Committee and Chief Engineer of the Bridge Institute, presided over the meeting. Gao Zongyu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Chief Scientist of China Railway, and Chief Expert of China Railway Bridge Survey and Design Institute, along with Zhuang Yong and Zhang Qiang, Business Managers of the Bridge Institute, Li Juntang, Senior Expert of China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group, and other industry experts gathered together with more than 40 youth representatives from the Bridge Institute and the Bridge Bureau to jointly commemorate an outstanding representative of China's bridge community—Academician Fang Qinhan of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

In his speech, Huang Yanqing briefly reviewed the life achievements and outstanding contributions of Academician Fang Qinhan. Born in Huangyan, Zhejiang in 1925, Fang Qinhan graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering at Tsinghua University in 1950. He once served as Deputy Chief Engineer of China Railway Bridge Survey and Design Institute and the Bridge Bureau, and was elected Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 1997. He devoted himself over the long term to the design and scientific research of steel girders for extra-large-span bridges. In 1950, he participated in the design of the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, and subsequently participated in and presided over the steel girder design and scientific research for the Nanjing, Jiujiang, and Wuhu Yangtze River Bridges. He developed and promoted the application of various new materials, new structures, and new processes, making outstanding contributions to realizing the development goals of railway bridges featuring "high strength, light weight, integrity, large span, and new structures." He received five National Science and Technology Progress Awards and nine Science and Technology Progress Awards from the Ministry of Railways.

Huang Yanqing delivers a speech

Huang Yanqing pointed out that the life of Academician Fang Qinhan was a vivid interpretation of the spirit of "patriotism, innovation, truth-seeking, and dedication." With a heart for his country, he built a century-spanning rainbow bridge with the devotion of a true patriot; he dared to lead, breaking through numerous difficulties with extraordinary courage; he pursued perfection, forging bridge quality with the craftsmanship of a great nation; and he was willing to serve as a ladder, cultivating countless pillars of talent with noble ethics. His life was like a long bridge spanning time and space, standing firm through wind and rain, connecting the past and the future, and leaving behind precious spiritual wealth for later generations.

Huang Yanqing emphasized that to commemorate Academician Fang Qinhan, we must learn from his fine style of seeking truth from facts and scientific rigor; learn from his innovative spirit of daring to lead and scaling new heights; and learn from his noble demeanor of lofty virtue and exemplary conduct.

   Xiao Haizhu presides over the meeting

The discussion session was warm and solemn. Participants shared their experiences and reflections on inheriting and carrying forward Academician Fang Qinhan's patriotic sentiments, scientific spirit, and noble character. Several leaders and experts who once worked with Academician Fang recalled stories of how, in an era of scarce technology and harsh conditions, Academician Fang overcame countless difficulties with firm conviction and extraordinary wisdom. He not only "entered" the construction site physically but also "entered" it with his heart, eating and living alongside the workers and repeatedly testing and verifying every piece of data; he strove for perfection in every plan and participated in every attempt throughout the process.

In his remarks, Gao Zongyu said with emotion: "Academician Fang was not only a kind and amiable mentor who was both strict and caring toward the younger generation, teaching both knowledge and methods; he was also a 'top scholar' with profound academic attainments." He was proficient in various professional knowledge and standard formulas and could explain them in simple terms combined with practical situations anytime and anywhere. More importantly, he was always committed to exploration and innovation, making an indelible contribution to the independent development of China's bridge science and technology.

Recalling the days spent with Academician Fang, Gao Zongyu said emotionally: "Once, Academician Fang said to me: 'I am lucky, and you are fortunate.' That sentence is still deeply imprinted in my heart to this day."

Gao Zongyu further explained that the "luck" Academician Fang spoke of stemmed from the historical mission bestowed by the era in which he lived. In the early days of the founding of New China, at a critical moment when the nation's bridge cause urgently needed breakthroughs, Academician Fang was able to devote all his lifelong learning to the great cause of the motherland's bridge construction—what glory and mission that was.

And "fortunate" was reflected in the bridge builders of the "post-60s" and "post-70s" generations represented by Gao Zongyu. As the nation's comprehensive strength significantly increased, they enjoyed superior research conditions and technical platforms. From the majestic Yangtze River bridges to world-renowned world-class sea-crossing projects, they not only participated deeply but also personally witnessed and experienced the glorious journey of China's infrastructure construction from catching up and surpassing to leading the world. This is the pride of a generation and the best footnote to national development.

The youth representatives expressed with deep respect that they would take Academician Fang as a lifelong role model, integrate their personal pursuits into the motherland's bridge cause, bravely shoulder the mission of the era, continue to write new glories for China's bridge cause, and let Academician Fang's spirit be passed down from generation to generation and shine brightly in the new era.

Before the symposium, participants watched a presentation on the life of Academician Fang Qinhan.

This symposium was not only a commemoration

but also like a bridge connecting the past and the future

a heartfelt look back at history

a relay passing of the torch of spirit

  and also earnest expectations for a better tomorrow for China's bridge cause!

Academician Fang Qinhan's "Steel Overlord" spirit

will forever illuminate the path forward for China's bridge cause

Let us forever remember this great master of bridges

carry forward his "Steel Overlord" spirit

and jointly write a new chapter in the development of China's bridges!