A tie adorned with Chinese characters representing chemical components unexpectedly opened a dialog between President Xi Jinping and British chemist David Evans.
In 2020, at a Spring Festival reception in Beijing, Xi seen Evans’ tie whereas shaking fingers with him. Xi mentioned, “I can guess your profession. We could have been fellows, (because) I studied chemical engineering (at university).”
Evans, a professor at Beijing University of Chemical Technology, was pleasantly shocked to be taught of Xi’s tutorial background at Tsinghua University within the Seventies.
His second interplay with Xi amazed him much more. In September 2020, he was invited to attend and communicate at a symposium hosted by Xi.
Evans shared his expertise of participating in science popularization actions in major and secondary college lecture rooms. Xi took nice curiosity in it and emphasised that efforts to domesticate college students’ hands-on means and impartial considering should be strengthened.
Xi additionally delivered a speech citing scientific information, ideas, and historic details. Evans mentioned, “I have rarely seen a state leader having such an ability to engage in an in-depth discussion of scientific logic and laws.”
Noting that the important thing to Chinese modernization lies in science and expertise, Xi has proven a eager curiosity in frontier areas. He is not any stranger to the world of cutting-edge developments, and ideas like AI, quantum, and self-driving expertise dot his speeches.
During his inspection visits nationwide, he has visited analysis establishments and sci-tech enterprises, and is commonly seen trying out the most recent devices at tech exhibitions.