On the evening of October 13, a special ceremony was held at the Yanqi Lake campus of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) in Beijing to illuminate the lighthouse at the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” memorial site. This event, which marked the official launch of a series of commemorative activities, coincides with several significant anniversaries in 2024: the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China, the 75th anniversary of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the 60th anniversary of the successful detonation of China’s first atomic bomb.
In our discussion with university representatives, it was revealed that the lighthouse was originally a water tower at the Huairou Rocket Test Base. As the tallest structure in that area, it serves as both a high point of the campus and a visual focal point for the surrounding region. UCAS has transformed this water tower into a memorial lighthouse, expanding the area at its base into a reading nook. The goal of this project is to integrate the reading space with the lighthouse, creating a cultural landmark that embodies the spirit of “Two Bombs, One Satellite” within the campus.
The timing of this lighting ceremony also coincided with the start of UCAS’s anniversary week, a festive period that saw many alumni returning to campus. University officials expressed their enthusiasm for the reopening of the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” memorial lighthouse and reading area, inviting students and alumni to engage with this new cultural hub.
