Recently, retired professor Liu Xingshi from CDUT received two national-level awards for his popular science book The Yangtze River! The Yangtze River! The book won the Annual Popular Science Work award from the China Association for Science and Technology and China Central Television’s “Celebrating Excellence: Popularizing Science in China” event, and also received the 2024 Wenjin Book Award from the National Library. Professor Liu Xingshi had previously served as a senior consultant for CDUT’s discipline construction. He is not only a geologist but also a master of popular science. To date, he has published 532 books, and his dual identity and outstanding contributions have garnered high praise from academia and broad acclaim from society.
The Yangtze River! The Yangtze River! is a high-quality popular science picture book that pays tribute to the mother river, the Yangtze. From a perspective that combines science and humanities, it presents the natural landscape and cultural achievements of the Yangtze River basin through panoramic hand-drawn scrolls and passionate poetic language. This picture book is not only grand in scale and broad in knowledge but also impressive in its imagery and flexible layout, allowing readers to gain a close understanding of the geography, history, and culture of the Yangtze River. It showcases the profound heritage and spiritual strength of the Yangtze River as a cradle of Chinese civilization, possessing high scientific and artistic value.
Crafted over a span of two years by the collaborative efforts of modern geologist and esteemed popular science author Liu Xingshi, alongside the acclaimed Wenjin Award-winning artist Li Zanqian, this literary masterpiece has earned rave reviews. Having been endorsed as a recommended read in “Good Books in China” selection of July 2023, it has since accumulated a plethora of accolades, including being named one of the “Top 100 Excellent Children’s Books” at the prestigious 31st National Book Expo Children’s Reading Festival. This recent recognition marks another achievement for the book.
The Yangtze River! The Yangtze River! is one of Liu Xingshi’s “Popular Science Quintet” series, and there are The Yellow River! The Yellow River!, The Grand Canal! The Grand Canal!, The Great Wall! The Great Wall!, and The Long March! The Long March! on the way.
Screenshot of the Award Announcement
Professor Liu Xingshi has devoted the better part of his life to geological exploration, traversing the breadth of his homeland. Armed with a wealth of geological knowledge and extensive field research, he has significantly propelled the advancement of geological science. Concurrently, Professor Liu Xingshi stands as a luminary in the realm of popular science. His literary endeavors seamlessly blend scientific rigor with literary allure, captivating a broad readership. Whether through his contributions to popular science literature, science fiction, or fairy tales, each of his works is revered as a hallmark, garnering numerous awards and honors.
His contribution extends beyond his literary achievements; it lies in his unwavering commitment and selfless dedication to the cause of popularizing science. Through his knowledge and talent, he has made outstanding contributions to the popularization of science, enabling more people to understand and embrace scientific knowledge and advancing the field of popular science. Professor Liu Xingshi once said, “I am fulfilling my promise; I want to serve my motherland.” These words deeply resonate with us. Throughout his life, he has silently dedicated himself to the scientific and popular science undertakings of our country, with his spirit worthy of emulation and inheritance by each of us.
In this rapidly advancing era of technology, the importance of popular science work cannot be overstated. Popular science not only enhances the scientific literacy of the public but also drives scientific progress of the society. Through his actions, Professor Liu Xingshi shows us that popular science work is not just a profession but also a responsibility and a mission.
