Noble epitaph

Author: Wang Chen, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The materials collected in this book are a true record of a glorious achievement in the history of modern Chinese science and technology. From 1927 to 1935, during those difficult years marked by continuous warfare, internal and external troubles, declining livelihoods, and the decline of science and education, a group of scientists in China braved extremely harsh natural and social environments to venture into the impoverished and backward regions of Northwest China for scientific exploration. This was the Chinese Northwest Scientific Expedition Team. The full name of the Chinese Northwest Scientific Expedition Team is the "Northwest Scientific Expedition Team of the Chinese Academic Association." It was formed through arduous struggles by the Chinese academic community in cooperation with the Swedish great explorer Sven Hedin. This was the first large-scale scientific expedition team in China to be organized with China as the leading party, engaging in equal cooperation with foreign countries. It marked a significant change from the shameful history of foreign explorers, scientists, and treasure hunters freely excavating within China since the late Qing Dynasty, leading to the loss of a large number of valuable cultural relics abroad. The 19 agreements they signed became a model for future foreign visits and agreements for scientific exploration in China. The renowned linguist Professor Liu Banruo of Peking University once pointed out at a conference that this agreement "marked a new era in agreements between China and foreigners, and at a time when the abolition of unequal treaties was being loudly advocated, I hope our diplomatic authorities will follow its example."