Promote the Spirit of Scientists, Special Topic——“Embrace the Motherland, Cherish its Rivers”: Mr. Zhang Guangdou, an Expert in Hydraulic Engineering, and a Distinguished Educator in Engineering

Mr. Zhang Guangdou, born in May 1921 and passed away in June 2013, was an eminent expert in hydraulic and hydroelectric engineering, as well as a distinguished educator in engineering. He was one of the primary pioneers in China's hydraulic and hydroelectric industry, and he held the esteemed titles of academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Additionally, he served as the Vice President of Tsinghua University.

He was honored with numerous national and international awards, including the National Advanced Worker Award, Second Prize of State Science and Technology Advancement Award, First Prize of Excellent Teaching Achievements in National Universities, Guanghua Science and Technology Achievement Award, Meritorious Service Award in Water Conservancy, He Liang He Li Foundation for Scientific and Technological Progress, and the prestigious Haze International Award from the University of California, Berkeley. He was also one of the founders of the disciplines of hydraulic structures and hydroelectric engineering in China.

Mr. Zhang Guangdou led the design of projects such as the Miyun Reservoir and the Yuzixi Hydropower Station. He provided technical guidance for the planning and design of water conservancy projects along the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, as well as for the construction of numerous large-scale hydraulic and hydroelectric projects including the Gezhouba, Danjiangkou, Sanmenxia, Xiaolangdi, Ertan, Three Gorges, and Longtan projects. He authored academic works such as Hydraulic Structures, and participated in directing the research project Strategic Study on Sustainable Development of Water Resources in China. His outstanding contributions have greatly advanced the development of China's hydraulic and hydroelectric industry as well as higher education.

Mr. Zhang Guangdou embraced the motherland and cherished its rivers. With tireless dedication, he constantly strived for abundant harvests and prosperity, enduring hardships to ensure the safety and tranquility of the surging waters.

We promote and uphold the noble spirit of Zhang Guangdou, the exemplary scientist, to make new contributions towards achieving self-reliance and self-improvement in high-level science and technology.