Professor Chen Ning Yang, Nobel Prize winner on Physics, said in his lecture at Nankai University Friday that China's science and technology developed at an unimaginable speed in the 20th century. In the long run, the country will have a strikingly brilliant vista for the development of the sector.

Of course China still has a large gap in sophisticated scientific studies with the world advanced countries, Yang said, but the development of history is not a matter of one or two days. We should consider the problem from a long-term point of view. Our Chinese folks engaged in scientific research should have the confidence in it.

Yang pointed out that comparing with the world advanced countries, China's primary problem for developing its science and technology lies in the lack of funds. However, with its rapid economic growth, the country will have a broad perspective for its sci-tech development. Presently, China sees the fastest economic growth among the countries across the world, which is an important advantage for the development of science and technology.

As regards the advancement of physics, Yang thought the study on physics at present and in the decades to come would be focused on the applied physics. He said he was pleased to see that the Chinese government has realized the importance of it and the important functions of applied physics. Therefore it has set great store by the research and development of the applied physics.

Yang rivets his great hope on Chinese youth. Great changes have taken place in China's current scientific research conditions, he said, every student should be aware of the fact and its impact on every person and make great efforts to render contribution to the society.

Yang's inspiring lecture was entitled "aesthetics and physics" in Nankai University on the invitation of Chen Xingshen, a world famous mathematician who has settled down in the Tianjin-based university.

(People's Daily 04/28/2001)