Cover News:

My question is for Mr. Sui. What promoted you to choose your research field? You have met many excellent teachers when you were a student, and you have also cultivated many excellent students yourself. How would you understand General Secretary Xi Jinping's expectation for "exemplary teachers?" Thank you. 

Sui Senfang:

Thank you for your questions. I will begin with the first one. My research field now is in life sciences, but my undergraduate major was mechanical engineering, and my postgraduate major was physics. I remember that, in the 1970s and 1980s, when I was studying physics, there was a trend in the international academic field, which was using modern physics technologies to restudy biology at the molecular level. I sensed from the trend that the interdisciplinary study of physics and biology would have great potential. In the early 1980s, when Tsinghua University decided to restore the biology department, I determinedly transferred to the biology department from the physics department, and began my academic study in the life sciences. Looking back, my sensitivity to emerging academic subjects and my multi-disciplinary background benefited me a lot during my biological studies. 

As for the other question, at the end of April this year, before the 110th anniversary of the founding of Tsinghua University, General Secretary Xi Jinping paid a visit there, and emphasized that we should all strive to become "exemplary teachers." This left me with a deep impression. That was an enthusiastic expectation for us college teachers. Reviewing my life in research, I knew deeply that to be an exemplary teacher, one must conduct studies in a down-to-earth manner and solve practical problems. My work is about basic research, which tolerates no falseness and exaggeration. One must endure loneliness and have patience in order to make achievements. 

An "exemplary teacher" must be a model for others and foster talent for the Party and the country. One of my students gave up the position at a prestigious foreign university, and returned to work full time at the School of Life Science in Tsinghua University in 2010. His return has led to the rapid rise of Tsinghua's cryo-electron microscopy research and facilitated the development of China's structural biology. Last year, my student's student returned to the country amid the epidemic after studying aboard. He is very energetic and wants to solve difficult and key issues in the life sciences. When I see my students in their positions, devoting themselves to their career and beginning to achieve results, I feel so delighted and proud. Therefore, I hope to spend my remaining life making more contributions to China's life science development and cultivating more high-quality students who will be more excellent than me. Thank you.

The Beijing News:

I want to ask Mr. Zhao Pubo, you impressed the world with a welding torch, and you have also endured many trials. Can you share with us how you stood out from the many students at the time to step onto the world stage? How do you view the craftsmanship spirit? Thank you.

Zhao Pubo:

During my six years studying welding, I encountered many setbacks and failures before finally stepping onto the world stage. My experience can be summarized in a word: persistence. I remember one occasion, when I was welding a test piece that was taller than me, a drop of molten iron fell onto one of my shoe through clothes. The temperature of the hot liquid iron was close to 1,000 degrees Celsius and so burnt a hole in my foot. In order not to fall behind in my training, I persisted and made it through by relying on the entrepreneurial spirit of "no delay in a day, no slack in a day." I think there is no shortcut to success, only hard work. I think the craftsman's spirit is to do one thing well in an entire life; to do the best job they can. Thank you.