At first glance, Wang Yongzhi, chief designer of China's manned space program, is a man set apart from average folk.

With the coveted Supreme State Science and Technology Award in his hand, the 71-year-old enjoyed the admiration of the public again on Friday, four months after China's first manned space flight

But however high he is held in the ranks of his profession, Wang is also a modest man who shows affection towards his colleagues and his family.

"I'm receiving the top State prize for science and technology on behalf of thousands of people working in China's space sector," Wang said on the eve of the prize-awarding ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. "Glory should go to them all."

Award set up

China set up the Supreme State Science and Technology Award in 1999. The award honors two scientists each year with each receiving 5 million yuan (US$602,000) and a certificate presented by the president of the People's Republic of China.

Apart from designing the powerful Long March 2E rocket capable of sending a 9.2-ton payload into near-earth orbit, Wang has worked out the major technical schemes of China's manned space program since he was appointed chief of the project in 1992.

"He has exerted his utmost effort for the manned space program, and contributed tremendously to the success of the country's first manned space flight on October 16, 2003, and to the historic breakthrough in the field," according to the assessment of the prize selection committee.

In Wang's eyes, however, it has been much like a relay race for Chinese scientists to secure China its niche as the third nation in the world to send a man into outer space - following the former Soviet Union and the United States.

"The successful first manned space flight was based on the success of the 'two bombs and one satellite' program, which has trained the key technical force needed for the manned space program," Wang said.

The highly acclaimed "two bombs and one satellite" program refers to the explosion of China's first atom bomb in 1964, which was followed by the successful launch of a missile in 1966 and explosion of an H-bomb in 1967. Then the first satellite to sing the tune of "Dong Fang Hong" (The East Is Red) declared to the world in 1970 that China had mastered satellite technology.

Wang says he was lucky to join the program as a novice on a team of well-established scientists, which included world-renowned physicist Qian Xuesen.

Wang met Qian in Moscow in 1957 when Qian paid a visit to the Soviet Union. Wang was then studying at the Moscow Aviation Institute, from which he graduated in 1961.

Even today, Wang still harbors warm feelings toward his old friend.

"He is the most important man in my career as a space researcher," he says.

Rocket research

Wang went to work at China's first institute on missile and rocket research, the No 5 Research Institute attached to the Ministry of National Defence, with Qian as the director.

"I received the utmost care and attention from many senior scientists," Wang says. "Particularly, Qian Xuesen gave me the greatest help - he gave me very detailed and specific guidance in research."

Under Qian's guidance, Wang was able to make rapid headway in rocket technology.

He even became "the apple of Qian's eye" of Qian in 1964, when Wang's bold proposal to remove 600 kilograms of propellant from a rocket - instead of adding more as suggested by many experts - allowed the rocket to fly far and accurately enough to meet its destination.

Qian was impressed by the young man's somewhat brash but innovative ideas. That event, and Wang's performance in the years that followed, led Qian to recommend Wang to the post of chief designer of China's manned space program in early 1990s.

"I can say that all the 'technical backbones' working for China's manned space program have been trained by an older generation of scientists," Wang says. "We continue their mission when they retire."

Today, in his senior years, Wang is also doing about the same thing his teachers and precursors did decades ago.

The research and development of China's space program under Wang's guidance has brought up a generation of younger scientists.

They include 27-year-old system commander Liu Feng, 29-year-old astronaut trainer Chen Xin, 32-year-old spaceship environmental control and life support system commander Liu Xiulian and 37-year-old spaceship system deputy chief designer Qing Wenbo, Xinhua said in an October report.

Among the designers and commanders of the manned spaceship, more than 85 per cent are under 45, Wang says.

"There are a number of successors to China's space program," he says. "We can entrust them with the future."

Wang would have become a farmer or some other type of laborer rather than a scientist had it not been help of his teachers in his teenage years.

"I can't forget several teachers from when I was in school age, I thank them from the bottom of my heart," Wang said.

Unforgettable teachers

It turned out that Wang dropped out of school when he finished elementary schooling. He would have gone to the fields, farming like many others in his hometown of Changtu County in Northeast China's Liaoning Province.

But along came his teacher, Liu Hanjia. He went to Wang's home, persuading his parents to send Wang to a high school.

"That was a key turning point in my life. Without him, most probably I would be a farmer now," Wang said.

Then in 1952, a then 19-year-old Wang was about to graduate from senior high school. He was not confident enough to choose a top university in Beijing, although he dreamed of studying further.

"My teacher Qian Yongyao knew I was interested in plane design, and we all knew that only Tsinghua University had that discipline," Wang said.

Qian had the full confidence in his top student. As a result, Wang tried and finally enrolled at Tsinghua University. He later shifted to major in rocket and missile.

"Without my teacher's encouraging words and help, I would have chosen another college in Northeast China, which probably would have trained me as anything but a space worker," Wang said.

Although China successfully launched its first manned spacecraft, the Shenzhou-5, last year, Wang is not content with this historical achievement.

"The spacecraft technology adopted by our manned space program should be more advanced than that of Russia and the United States," he said. "It would be meaningless if we just followed suit."

Wang is a keen basketball fan. He said his wife, who works on aerospace technology information, "has been a great help to my career."

He added, "The country's call is the goal I'll work for."

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) poses for a picture with Wang Yongzhi (L), chief designer of China's manned space program, and Liu Dongsheng, a renowned geologist, at an award-giving ceremony of the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award for 2003 held in Beijing Feb 20, 2004. (Xinhua Photo)

(sources: Xinhua News Agency and China Daily February 27, 2004)