US-CHINA COLD WAR | Wu Zhe, Chinese scientist at Beihang University, the top brain of China’s Spy Balloon
Within of a week of the United States shooting down a suspected spy balloon launched by China, the U.S. Commerce Department sanctioned five Chinese companies and one research institute it said were linked to Beijing’s high-altitude surveillance program.
Over half of the new entities now subject to U.S. export controls have links to one man, Wu Zhe, an acclaimed Chinese scientist at Beihang University, who could be among the top brains behind Beijing’s seemingly under-appreciated dirigible strategy.
Memento Maxima Digital MarketingThe six organizations were added to the U.S. entity list on February 10, Wu’s 66th birthday, over their provision of airships, balloons and other related materials and components for Chinese military “intelligence and reconnaissance,” the Commerce Department said, with no reference to the scientist himself.
Wu Zhe, acclaimed aeronautics professor of Beihang University in Beijing, China. BEIHANG UNIVERSITY
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Born in 1957 in China‘s northern Shanxi province, Wu has been involved in “near space” research—the vast skies above commercial airline routes, but below orbiting satellite—for three decades. Four years ago, the aeronautics professor publicized one of his team’s pioneering unmanned airship flights around the world, including over North America.
He earned his structural mechanics Ph.D. in 1988 from what is now the Harbin Institute of Technology, which was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2020 for supporting the modernization of the Chinese military, the People’s Liberation Army. In 1991, he began teaching at Beihang, which has been subject to U.S. restrictions for the same reason since 2010.
On Beihang’s website, Wu’s biography describes a distinguished professor, recognized by the state’s top accolades, who gave up his post as university vice president to pursue research and teaching. His contributions to aerospace were noticed in his youth, and he sat on a technical committee in the PLA’s now reconstituted General Armaments Department.
The leading scholar at Beihang’s School of Aeronautical Science and Engineering focused on “aircraft configuration, electromagnetic scattering and low-observable technology,” the university says. His achievements in the application of stealth technology were particularly noteworthy, it adds.
Among his projects to have resurfaced this month was a 2019 announcement that appeared to fly under the radar at the time. On August 20 that year, he told state-run newspaper Southern Daily that his team had launched an unmanned airship intending to circumnavigate the Earth.
The presentation, which was met with relatively little fanfare when it was published the following day, said the craft Zhuiyunhao, literally “cloud chaser,” was launched on July 27, traveling at an altitude of 65,000 feet and moving at a horizontal velocity of 30 feet per second.
“Look, that bouncing red dot on the map is our Zhuiyunhao,” Wu was quoted as saying, pointing to a computer monitor. “Look, that’s America.”
A flight path on the map indicated the airship was over the Western Pacific, having sailed west from southern China, over Southeast Asia, India, the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa and parts of the southern U.S. and northern Mexico—all in under one month.
The craft was said to have been developed in Dongguan, in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, on a Beihang campus in the city. According to Wu, the craft measured roughly 300 feet long and weighed “several tons.”
“This is the first time an aerodynamically controlled stratospheric airship has flown around the world at 20,000 meters,” Wu said.
The world’s major economies were also developing stratospheric craft, said the Southern Daily, but due to “technical challenges,” few were capable of reaching 65,000 feet or remaining aloft for more than 24 hours. Wu’s team, however, achieved major breakthroughs in the two years since mid-2017, it said.
Compared to satellites, these high-altitude aircraft operate closer to the ground, carry larger payloads and can “obtain higher resolution,” Yang Yongqiang, one of the scientists on the team, told the newspaper. Compared to planes, the airships operate in higher, more stable meteorological conditions conducive to “long-term observation,” he said.
Yang went on to list stratospheric airship applications including for the creation of wireless internet infrastructure, disaster early warning and monitoring, and aerial reconnaissance.
In March last year, Yang and Wu were among four inventors named in an approved patent application for a “high-altitude weight-reduction device” for stratospheric airships, filed by Dongguan Lingkong Remote Sensing Technology, one of the six companies sanctioned by the U.S. on Friday.
TRIVIA
Beihang University
Coordinates: 39°58′48″N 116°20′27″E
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北京航空航天大学 (Chinese)
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Other name
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BUAA or Beihang | ||
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Former name
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Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics | ||
| Motto | 德才兼备、知行合一 | ||
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Motto in English
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Integrate Virtue with Brilliance and Combine Knowledge with Practice[1] | ||
| Type | Public research university | ||
| Established | October 25, 1952 | ||
| President | Wang Yunpeng (王云鹏) | ||
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Academic staff
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3,359 | ||
| Undergraduates | 12,523 | ||
| Postgraduates | 10,282 | ||
| Location |
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| Campus | Xueyuan Road 100 hectares, Shahe 97 hectares | ||
| Colors | and | ||
| Affiliations | Double First Class University Plan Project 985 Project 211 Beijing-Hong Kong Universities Alliance (BHUA) Sino-Spanish University Alliance (SSU) Top International Managers in Engineering (T.I.M.E.) |
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| Website | ev |
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| Chinese name | |||
| Simplified Chinese | 北京航空航天大学 | ||
| Traditional Chinese | 北京航空航天大學 | ||
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Beihang University, previously known as the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Chinese: 北京航空航天大学), abbreviated as BUAA or Beihang (Chinese: 北航), is a national public research university located in Beijing, China,[2] specializing in engineering, technology, and the hard sciences.[3]
Beihang University is designated as an eminent key university ( literally a “first-rate university” of type-A[4] ) by China’s Ministry of Education. It is one of China’s key universities subsidized by the Double First Class University Plan, Project 985 and Project 211 funding. Beihang was founded on October 25, 1952, with an area of over 100 hectares.[5]
Together with Tsinghua University, Peking University, Beijing Institute of Technology and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, it is widely considered to be one of the top engineering universities in Beijing,[6] with an emphasis on aeronautical and astronautical engineering, but also covering diverse fields in the natural sciences, high technology, economics, management, the liberal arts, law, philosophy, foreign languages and education.
History
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The early years
Beihang was formed in 1952 from a merger of the aeronautical departments of Tsinghua University, Peiyang University, Xiamen University, Sichuan University, Yunnan University, Northwestern Engineering College, North China University and Southwest Aeronautical Institute.[7]
The meeting announcing the founding of the Beijing Institute of Aeronautics (BIA) was held in the auditorium of the Beijing Institute of Technology on October 25, 1952. In the early days of the university most of the faculty and students lived on the campuses of Tsinghua University and the Beijing Institute of Technology but moved to BaiYanZhuang Village in the Haidian District on May, 1953. Construction started on June 1, 1953. More than 60,000m2 of buildings were completed within six months. By October 1953 the students and faculty had moved to the new campus and started their daily work and study. Initially there were two departments with four majors: Aeroplane Design and Aeroplane Technology in the Department of Aeroplane Engineering and Engine Design and Engine Technology in the Department of Aeroplane Engine Engineering.
Beihang east gate 北航东门
BUAA was among China’s first 16 key universities in the 1950s and was among the top 15 for priority development during China’s 7th Five-Year Plan period (1986–1990). During the 8th Five-Year plan it was listed among the top 14 for priority development and at the start of the 9th Five-Year Plan BUAA was among the first batch of 15 universities in project 211 for Higher Education.
Name change
In 1952 the university was named the Beijing Institute of Aeronautics. In May 1988 it was renamed to Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA). In 2002 the university changed the English name of the university to Beihang University but retained the acronym BUAA.
Currently
The university has 59 undergraduate programs, 38 master’s degree programs, 21 doctorate programs and 17 postdoctoral researcher programs. At present the university has 27 schools covering ten major disciplines. The total number of faculty and staff is 3,759, including 26 academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering as well as 1,668 professors. BUAA is the home of 27,811 students and about 668 international students [8] It has 89 laboratories including a National Lab and seven State Key Laboratories. The university is equipped with ancillary facilities. Its library, with an area of over 24,000 m2, has a collection of over 1.2 million.[9]
BUAA Library
In 2005 the École Centrale partnered with BUAA to create an engineering graduate program called École Centrale de Pékin. The program’s intake consisted of the very best Chinese students graduating the National College Entrance Examination. In 2018 the French Civil Aviation University partnered with the university to create a civil aviation university in Hangzhou.[10]
BUAA has sports facilities including modern gymnasiums and sports grounds.
Anniversary and homecoming
October 25 is the anniversary and the following weekend is the homecoming weekend.
Blue and white, which symbolize the sky and clouds, are the official school colors.
Education and teaching
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Ranking[edit]
| University rankings | |
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| Global – Overall | |
| ARWU World[11] | 151-200 (2020) |
| QS World[12] | 383 (2022) |
| USNWR Global[13] | 253 (2023) |
| Regional – Overall | |
| QS BRICS[14] | 46 (2019) |
| THE Emerging Economies[15] | 46 (2022) |
| USNWR Asia[16] | 42 (2023) |
| National – Overall | |
| BCUR National[17] | 11 (2019) |
Beihang University is among China’s top engineering universities.[18][19] It is subsidized by the prestigious Project-211 funding and Project-985 funding. Together with Tsinghua University, Peking University, Beijing Institute of Technology and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, it is widely considered to be one of the top engineering universities in Beijing,[6] with an emphasis on aeronautical and astronautical engineering, but also covering diverse fields in the natural sciences, high technology, economics, management, the liberal arts, law, philosophy, foreign languages, and education.
BUAA Green Garden
BUAA has 42 research institutes or interdisciplinary research centers, 11 key disciplines of the national level and 89 laboratories (including 4 national key laboratories, 5 national specialized laboratories, and 12 provincial or ministerial-level key laboratories). Beihang ranks among China’s top universities by research funding. Beihang is also among China’s top research universities for the development of military technology. It is administered by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Beihang has been allotted the highest budget amongst all universities under the ministry.
The library, with an area of over 24,000 m2, has a collection of over 1.2 million books. BUAA’s sports facilities include an Olympic modern gymnasium and a sports ground.
BUAA gymnasium
International academic exchange
BUAA has established cooperation with 152 universities and research institutions from 40 countries including Canada, UK, France, Germany, Russia, the United States and Sri Lanka. 122 scholars have been invited as honorary professors to Beihang University. Every year an average of 1000 foreign experts and scholars come to BUAA to lecture and to take part in international conferences and discussions of scientific cooperation. Every year over 600 BUAA faculties go abroad to give lectures, participate in academic conferences and conduct cooperative scientific research.[20][21][22]
Since 2005 Beihang University and Groupe des Écoles Centrales have cooperated under the support of the governments of China and France to jointly establish the Sino-French Engineer School in Beijing.[23]
Since the 1990s Beihang University has been one of the few universities in China that use English as the primary medium of instruction for all its international master and doctoral programs. It also offers many bachelor’s degree programs in English.
Since 1993 more than 9,000 students from over 80 countries have enrolled at Beihang University.
Seen on campus
Undergraduate
Beihang’s undergraduate education is focused on training specialized graduates to ensure success in their field. Centering on this aim, BUAA has a credit-based education plan which is a flexible way for students to plan their college life.
Postgraduate
BUAA is among China’s very first academic institutes with a graduate school. It also has the authority to select its academic staff for the supervision of doctorate students instead of obtaining external approval from China’s Ministry of Education.
BUAA Main Building
Teaching
BUAA was among the nation’s first 16 key universities back in the 1950s and among the top 15 for priority development during China’s 7th five-year plan period (1986–1990). During the 8th five-year plan it was listed among the top 14 for priority development and at the start of the 9th five-year plan BUAA was among the first batch of 15 universities in “Project 211 for Higher Education.” As it entered the new millennium the university was listed in China’s Action Plan for the Revitalization of Education in the 21st Century. BUAA has grown into an open, multi-disciplined, research-oriented university of engineering science and technology with an emphasis on aeronautical and astronautical engineering. The university now has 40 undergraduate majors, 65 master programs and 36 second-level doctorate programs in 2nd level disciplines and 12 post-doctorate stations. In ten disciplines of the 1st level BUAA is authorized to confer doctor and master’s degrees.
Affiliated Schools
Beihang University contains within itself an elementary school, a middle school and a high school. These schools are exclusive to the children of university staff although non-staff openings are occasionally available to the public.[citation needed]
Research
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BUAA is home to some of China’s key research laboratories including the National Laboratory of Software Development Environment, National Computational Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, National Laboratory of Aero-engine and Air Heat and the National Laboratory of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
BUAA New Main Building
BUAA is one of the Seven Sons of National Defence.[24]
The university has more than 40 projects ranked first in the country and has received over 900 awards for achievements. BUAA is one of the top-ranked universities in the field of high tech. BUAA has launched spacecraft including the Beijing -1, Beijing -2, Beijing -5 and the BEE series of coaxial rotors helicopter. BUAA has also invented a flight simulator in automation, a silicon compiler in computer science, a Phase Change Disk in material and information storage, a robot of multi-degree freedom in artificial intelligence and assisted in the successful launch of the Shenzhou spacecraft.
The university established six major state labs including the Lab of Aero Engine Gasdynamics and Thermodynamics, the State Lab of Computational Fluid Dynamics, the Lab of Software Development Environment and the National Base of Mechanics as well as 12 major labs at provincial levels. The funding for scientific research at BUAA has increased at an annual rate of over 20% which ranks among the top universities in China for achievements, funding and academic standing.
SRTP
In 2005 BUAA initiated the Student Research Training Program (SRTP) to involve undergraduates in research through credit incentives. All granted projects are funded by the Student Academic Office. Excellent project holders are given extra credits for their achievements. Students often publish papers and file patent applications during the training program.
Student life
BUAA Feng Ru Statue
Feng Ru Cup
The Feng Ru Cup, named after China’s first aircraft designer and aviator Feng Ru,[25] is an annual student competition. It is similar to the senior project found in US universities. This competition attracts thousands of students each year.[citation needed]
Student societies
There are various student societies from sport clubs to scientific interest groups. Student scientific and engineering innovation groups may receive funds from different entities, e.g. departments, schools and companies.[citation needed]
Notable alumni
- Jiang Bin, billionaire co-founder of GoerTek[26]
- Li Peiyao 李沛瑶, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference
- Qi Faren, chief engineer of the Shenzhou space project
- Xue Yiwei, Chinese writer resident in Montreal, Canada[27]
- Yang Dongming, lieutenant general, former deputy commander of the PLA Air Force
- Yuan Jiajun 袁家军, member of the 20th Politburo, former chief of the Shenzhou program
- Zhang Guoguang, former governor of Liaoning and Hubei
Aircraft projects
See also
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