22 September 2018
In The Three-Body Problem, Liu Cixin tells the story of how a more advanced alien race takes steps to halt scientific advancements on Earth. Liu thinks science fiction can contribute to China’s technology push by inspiring the imagination of its readers. But he is quick to add that without education and greater science literacy, literature will not affect innovation.
One of Liu's fan is Wang Jing, an executive at Xian CAS Star. Her team in Xian recently opened an exhibition hall of 3,000 square metres, built around the theme of China’s Shenzhou spaceships. They hope that it, like the space centres in the US opened by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, will promote an affinity for science. “Nasa is definitely a benchmark,” said Wang, who was hoping to invite Liu to a conference in Xian. “We still have a lot of catching up to do.”
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