JOURNAL OF DIALECTICS OF NATURE
A Comprehensive, Academic Journal of the Philosophy, History, Sociology and Cultural Studies of Science and Technology
Author Information
SUN Yihong
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Research Articles
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Sino-British Scientific Interactions and the Early Development of China’s Nuclear Industry Abstract: This study investigates the establishment of scientific links between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the United Kingdom (UK) in the mid-20th century, focusing on the early development of China’s nuclear industry. Sino-British scientific interactions took place across multiple dimensions, involving various institutions and individuals. Around 1949, UK-trained Chinese nuclear scientists returned to China, bringing advanced technological knowledge and extensive practical experience. The PRC regarded the UK as a crucial gateway to overcoming the technological blockade imposed by the United States (and later the Soviet Union) and sought to establish scientific relations with the UK through semi-official and unofficial channels. Specifically, these connections manifested in the interactions between the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Royal Society of London, the guiding role of the Chinese Chargé d’Affaires Office in London in facilitating scientific and technological exchanges, and the technology investigations led by the Ministry of Foreign Trade in the name of trade. Additionally, the Sino-British scientific network extended to the international arena, allowing China to engage in nuclear-related global organizations and events. This study highlights the significant British influence on the early development of China’s nuclear industry, revealing the extent of its British influence. It argues that China’s urgent need for nuclear science and industrial advancement was a key driver of its scientific engagement with the UK. Key Words: Sino-British relations; Scientific interactions; Nuclear industry; Cold WarIssue:Volume 47, lssue 7, July 2025Page: 65-75
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A Case of Early Sino-British Nuclear Science Exchanges: Chen-Tsoong Young, Chuan-Tseng Tai, and Department of Physics, University of Liverpool Abstract: This study is one of the cases of nuclear scientific exchanges between the UK and China during the Cold War. With the leadership of Chadwick and Rotblat, the Department of Physics, University of Liverpool, became an important center of nuclear physics in the UK, mainly focusing on nuclear reactions using large cyclotrons. Chen-Tsoong Young collaborated with Holt, studying Deuteron Clipping Reaction from 1946 to 1950; Chuan-Tseng Tai was supervised by Rotblat from 1947 to 1951, in the study of nuclear emulsions and Deuteron Clipping Reaction. Both of them achieved doctoral degrees. This paper aims to review the research experiences of Young and Tai in Liverpool through primary archives and related literature. They were involved in the cutting-edge research and made significant progress by virtue of advanced research conditions. After returning to China, they made remarkable contributions to the development of nuclear science in China, especially their early research work clearly reflected their experiences during their time in Liverpool. Key Words: Chen-Tsoong Young; Chuan-Tseng Tai; UK-educated; Experimental nuclear physicsIssue:Volume 48, lssue 4, April 2026Page: 118-125
JOURNAL OF DIALECTICS OF NATURE
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