Forum on Strengthening the Military | Do More of the Unglamorous, Heads-Down Work
"If something is important, someone should do it — whether in the spotlight or behind the scenes." This is the philosophy of achievement held by Wang Ji, a researcher at the College of Computer Science, National University of Defense Technology. His ideals and pursuit in national defense scientific research are deeply moving, and the innovative results he has achieved are far-reaching in their impact.
Chairman Xi has emphasized: "'Success need not be of my own making' (功成不必在我) — one must be willing to do foundational, preparatory work, and willing to take on unfinished tasks"; "do more of the unglamorous, heads-down real work (埋头苦干的实事), do not seek the 'visible achievements' (显绩) of quick wins and instant results, and instead create 'latent achievements' (潜绩) that benefit those who come after."
Wang Ji has spent years conducting research in the "niche and hardcore" field of high-assurance software. More than half of the projects he has undertaken cannot be disclosed because they involve national defense security, and can only be referred to as "a certain project" — whatever accomplishments he has achieved can only be buried in his heart. As one member of Wang Ji's team put it, "Many of the tasks we do cannot be spoken of — not a single word." Even so, Wang Ji and his team members press forward with single-minded determination, drilling deep into major tasks. They are content to create "latent achievements" and content to do things that serve the long-term development of the nation and the military. These "latent achievements" are not for oneself, but for the public good; not for fame and recognition, but for a strong nation and a strong military.
Charging toward the high ground of independent innovation in national defense science and technology is destined to be an arduous journey full of thorns, challenges, and solitude. Only by, like Wang Ji, boldly venturing into "uncharted territory" (无人区), willingly sitting on the "cold bench" (冷板凳), and daring to gnaw on "hard bones" (硬骨头), can we achieve autonomous and controllable mastery of key core technologies, and firmly hold the initiative in innovation and development in our own hands.
The more fundamental the field of research, the longer it takes to achieve breakthroughs in key core technologies. Behind the success of major science and technology projects, behind major innovative breakthroughs, there are invariably generations of scientific researchers and decades of struggle and perseverance. This process requires not only a spirit of exploration that overcomes every difficulty, but even more so the strategic resolve (战略定力) to work in obscurity and cultivate deeply within a single domain.
In the history of our Party and our military, there are many experts like Wang Ji. Huang Xuhua, a recipient of the "Medal of the Republic," is one of them. In order to forge a great weapon of the nation, he concealed his identity and did not return home for 30 years, devoting himself entirely to the cause of nuclear submarines — for a time causing his family to misunderstand him, and even drawing reproach from his younger brothers and sisters for "abandoning his family" and "forgetting the parents who raised him." Little did they know that Huang Xuhua had all along been doing earth-shaking deeds unknown to others; he believed that "loyalty to the nation is the greatest filial piety one can show to one's parents."
"Those in ancient times who accomplished great things possessed not only surpassing talent, but also an indomitable will." Whether in basic research or technological innovation, there are inherent laws that do not yield to human subjective will, and reaching the far shore of success requires years of patient, dedicated cultivation. Cheng Kaijia labored in obscurity his entire life, diligently cultivating for 40 years, using the "thunderclaps" that resounded from Lop Nur to forge a solid national defense shield for our country. Song Wencong, harboring the ambition to strengthen the nation and burning with passion to strengthen the military, spent decades in quiet dedication forging and honing his sword, in exchange for the J-10 fighter jet soaring into the sky. Lin Junde devoted himself deeply to the study of explosion mechanics in China, taking root in the desert for 52 years… Their experiences prove time and again that only when scientific researchers truly cast aside impetuousness, set aside self-interest, and keep the bench cold for ten years, can they achieve solid and substantial results.
The facts prove that without the "latent achievements" built up through sustained, long-term effort, there can be no dazzling "visible achievements." All Party members, cadres, and officers and soldiers of the armed forces must take Wang Ji as a model, strengthen their ideals and convictions, deepen their love for family and nation, temper their will and character, integrate personal striving into the great tide of the era, charge forward without cease and struggle without rest, dare to be first and forge ahead with determination, and strive to create brilliant accomplishments worthy of our revolutionary forebears, worthy of the century-long foundation, and worthy of this great era.