(Professor Zheng Changzhong’s commentary en route to the Huairou Science City, May 18, 2025)
Hello everyone! Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China, once said, “He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man.” Since we all just scaled the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, it seems we are all heroes! A friend asked on the way: “What does the Great Wall mean to modern China?” This is a great question. In fact, large-scale construction of the Great Wall basically ceased about 300 years ago. Subsequent dynasties and governments promoted ethnic integration through conciliatory policies, while the transition from the cold weapon era to the age of firearms gradually eroded the Great Wall’s military and defensive functions. Coupled with natural erosion and human factors, parts of the wall gradually deteriorated. However, the value of the Great Wall has long surpassed its physical existence—as the ethnic groups inside and outside the Wall merged into the Chinese nation, and as lasting peace was secured in the regions along the Wall, it transformed from a military facility into a cultural gene and spiritual symbol.
Throughout history, the spiritual connotations of the Great Wall have continued to evolve. A classic example is during the Anti-Japanese War, when the Chinese nation faced an existential crisis. The lyrics of “The March of the Volunteers” (which later became the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China) sang: “When the Chinese nation is at its most critical moment, we unite as one to build a new Great Wall with our flesh and blood!” These lyrics profoundly embody the spirit of the Great Wall. From this, we can see that the Great Wall has transformed into a cultural gene: a patriotic spirit that unites the entire nation in times of hardship, a national spirit of resilience in the face of challenges, and a contemporary spirit of loving and embracing peace, sharing the wisdom and achievements of the Chinese people with the world.
Today, the Great Wall holds three meanings in the hearts of Chinese people: First, the physical Great Wall—the ancient structure we visited today, a historical relic built with bricks and stones, carrying over two thousand years of civilizational memory. Second, the “steel Great Wall”—modern military forces defending the country, continuing the defensive spirit of the Great Wall to safeguard national territory and people’s security. Third, the “spiritual Great Wall”—value concepts integrated into the nation’s genes: resilience, unity, and peace, serving as the cultural foundation for addressing contemporary challenges.
China has entered a phase of high-quality development, where technological innovation has become the core driving force. To advance scientific and technological progress, the country has established multiple science cities to form integrated effects through clustering research platforms and enterprises. The Huairou Science City, we are about to visit is precisely a continuation of the “Great Wall spirit” in the new era—using innovation as “bricks and stones” to build a new “Great Wall of Science and Technology” on the path of national rejuvenation. We will witness how China promotes collaborative technological development with an open mindset and practices the philosophy of “peace and shared benefits,” leveraging the Great Wall spirit to drive high-quality development through technological innovation. I’ll stop here to avoid spoilers—the specifics will be deeply interpreted during our on-site visit after arrival. I believe this morning’s itinerary will allow you to touch the weight of history and feel the pulse of the future—from the ancient Great Wall to the modern science city, the wisdom and spirit of the Chinese nation remain unchanged.
Thank you! We are about to arrive at Huairou Science City—let’s look forward to the upcoming exploration!
*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.