Beijing event honors dedication of sci-tech workers

May 30 marks the 10th National Science and Technology Workers' Day in China. To celebrate the occasion, a story sharing session featuring outstanding science and technology workers was held on May 28 at the Zhongguancun (Haidian) Embodied Intelligence Innovation Industrial Park in Beijing's Haidian district — China's premier hub for technological innovation.

The event was guided by the Haidian Association for Science and Technology and organized by the Zhongguancun Rongzhi Specialized Robotics Alliance (ZSRA).

"Every breakthrough in core technologies and every leap forward in industrial upgrading can only be achieved with the dedication and perseverance of our science and technology workers," said Tang Qiuxia, deputy secretary-general of the ZSRA.

Science and technology workers pose for a group photo, Haidian district, Beijing, May 28, 2026. [Photo courtesy of ZSRA]

The centerpiece of the event was a story sharing session. Four representatives of the sci-tech workers from various fields spoke about their career development, shared stories of how they overcame problems and discussed their sense of mission. 

Pang Zhihao, national chief science communication expert of space exploration technology, shared his decades-long journey in China's space industry. Having witnessed the sector evolve from following to leading in certain areas, he continues to conduct outreach work even after retirement. He spoke vividly about rocket propulsion systems, comparing them to the "blood of spacecraft" — a metaphor that helps make complex technology more accessible. "I want to plant the seeds of aerospace in more people's hearts," he said. For him, the core of the scientific spirit is "pursuing truth, scaling new heights, seeking innovation through hard work, and serving the nation with responsibility."

Li Zhenkun, associate professor at Beijing Jiaotong University, shared his work on 4D printing technology. His team developed a new approach that allows printed objects to change shape over time — a breakthrough that has found applications in soft robotic components and smart gloves. However, his mission extends beyond the lab. Over the past three years, he has visited more than 100 schools across China, including those in remote areas, to bring cutting-edge concepts to young minds. "The value of science lies in lighting a spark," Li said. "Everyone can become a science communicator in the era of hard tech, making frontier technologies accessible to all."

Chen Xiaodong, a former chief engineer specializing in special robotics and emergency response equipment, recounted stories from his long career. Facing technological backwardness and heavy reliance on imports that endangered front-line personnel, he led a team to develop homegrown robots for bomb disposal and rescue operations, breaking foreign monopolies. Even in retirement, he continues to promote robotics education. "When doing science outreach, my principle is to simplify complex problems," he explained.

Zhang Jing, a former associate researcher at the Development Research Center of China Geological Survey, shared experiences from her 35-year career in geology and 15 years conducting science outreach. She has contributed to national projects on natural resource monitoring, environmental assessment and geological big data applications, supporting key decisions on resource security and ecological conservation. After retirement, she turned fully to science popularization — writing books, giving lectures and traveling to remote areas and schools to share her stories on geology. "Science outreach is not one-way transmission," Zhang said. "It's two-way empowerment. I enjoy it immensely — while lighting sparks for young minds, I also keep learning and growing."

The event brought together more than 100 attendees, including researchers, students and representatives from various local tech companies.