In early 2013, within the conference room of the National Science and Technology Development Research Center in the capital, a debate was quietly unfolding, one that ordinary citizens were unaware of but which held immense significance for the entire nation, even at the highest levels.
Indeed, within this state-level scientific research institution, what was taking place was not a meeting to discuss a specific research project, but rather an extremely intense debate.
On both sides of the conference room sat not only the titans of China's scientific community but also many top leaders who were rarely seen in such gatherings, a rarity for a scientific debate.
When such a situation occurred, it signaled that the debate transcended science itself, touching upon the future and development of the entire nation, compelling leaders to consider every aspect with utmost caution and make decisions that would stand the test of history.
The identities and standing of the direct participants in the debate were, naturally, also extraordinary.
One side was the leader in China's high-energy particle field, a figure before whom even the esteemed Professor Zhao would have to concede. He also served as the director of the China High Energy Physics Institute, making him the undisputed paramount figure in academia.
While this individual's status was already remarkable, it seemed somewhat less impressive when compared to the other participant. This was none other than a Nobel laureate, one of the few Chinese Nobel laureates in the world, who had pioneered half of the modern high-energy physics field.
If the former could be called the leader of China's high-energy physics, then the latter could be hailed as the leader of world high-energy physics.
In short, both individuals were absolute giants, and the topic they were about to debate was bound to be earth-shattering.
This debate was not like a typical competition where a winner is declared at the end. In fact, no conclusion would be reached on the spot. However, every word spoken would influence the thoughts of all the attendees, and the convergence of these thoughts would ultimately shape the will of a nation.
Therefore, the focus of this debate was not on defeating the opponent but on how to make the audience better understand one's own ideas.
Thus, as the debate commenced, both sides began by articulating their viewpoints. As the host, Professor Wang, director of the China High Energy Physics Institute, was the first to present his thoughts.
"Comrades, friends, and leaders, I will speak frankly. I must tell you that the construction of our new generation of electron-positron collider is now imperative!" Professor Wang declared. His presentation was quite lengthy, but in essence, Professor Wang was calling for the initiation of the project for the new generation electron-positron collider.
He argued that the existing electron-positron collider was completely outdated and its equipment was aging, necessitating replacement with new equipment as a normal upgrade.
Secondly, he emphasized the crucial importance of the new generation electron-positron collider for the foundational research in physics across China.
"Distinguished colleagues, countless facts have proven that classical physics has its limitations. These limitations signify that all macroscopic physics has reached its limit, and consequently, humanity's scientific development has also reached its limit. Classical physics cannot help humanity solve the mysteries of life, nor can it aid in overcoming the difficulties of nuclear fusion, let alone enable us to surpass the speed of light and venture into the vast universe."
"However, the realm of microscopic physics is different. All matter in this world is composed of microscopic particles, and within these microscopic particles lie the fundamental principles governing the universe and the essence of gravity. In the future, only through continuous exploration and research into the microscopic particle world can our technology continue to advance."
"To give a simple example, a company has now developed an anti-gravity engine. This extraordinary technology has enabled advancements in large aircraft, allowing for the creation of anti-gravity vehicles and the possibility of reactionless engines. Reactionless engines are widely recognized as the engine technology that will solve the significant challenge of space travel in the next thousand years."
"If any fighter jet were equipped with a reactionless engine, it could circle the entire Earth in just over ten minutes. This represents an unimaginably immense power!"
"How was such an anti-gravity engine developed? It was because a Chinese scientist, through studying the gravitational forces between particles, designed a special material that could isolate gravity, thereby reducing the mass of an object."
"Think about it, when we buy a kilogram of meat at the market, as long as the scale is not faulty, it will be a kilogram of meat regardless of where it is weighed; its mass remains unchanged. This is classical physics."
"But if we coat this kilogram of meat with a layer of this special gravity-isolating material, that kilogram of meat then becomes only eight hundred grams. No matter which scale you use, it will weigh eight hundred grams. Its mass has changed, which is a terrifyingly advanced technology! If such technology can be continuously extended and developed in the future, what will humanity's future look like? It will be as incomprehensible to us now as it would have been for a Tang Dynasty person a thousand years ago to imagine us today!"
"And the only way and means to study this marvelous gravity and the microscopic particle world is through more powerful high-energy particle colliders!"
"There is a popular book recently called 'The Three-Body Problem.' Although it is a science fiction novel written by an electrical worker, it contains an idea that I greatly admire and agree with."
"It's about an alien civilization called Trisolaran, which, in order to limit our technological development, dispatches a creation called Sophon to hinder humanity's scientific progress?"
"How can a Sophon hinder humanity's technological development? It's simple: by interfering with the operation of all high-energy particle colliders worldwide, rendering them unable to function properly, preventing humanity from obtaining accurate data, and thus hindering progress in the entire field of microscopic particles, making it impossible to understand the underlying knowledge and principles, thereby locking down humanity's scientific and technological development!"
"Therefore, only high-energy particle colliders can enable our civilization and technology to continue moving forward."
"And right now is the best time for us to construct such a new generation of high-energy particle colliders. The European collider has already been built, so they will have no interest in investing in new colliders in the short term. The collider plans in the United States and Japan have both failed. We are the only ones with the capability and opportunity to build the next-generation collider."
"Once we complete it, for at least the next twenty years, the center of global high-energy physics research will be in China. The world's top scholars will gather in China, and global wisdom will be concentrated in China."
"Distinguished colleagues, why did we suffer such humiliation a hundred years ago? It was because the centers of the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution were in Europe, and Europeans achieved significant technological advantages, ultimately leading the world."
"If we can seize this opportunity, then the center of the industrial revolution for the next hundred years will be in China, and China will achieve unprecedented technological leadership. This is our best opportunity. Once missed, and other countries awaken and begin constructing their next-generation high-energy particle colliders, we will never have a better chance!" Professor Wang spoke with great passion, and then directly challenged the Nobel laureate opposite him, "Professor Yang, do you agree with what I have said? Do you agree that future technological development lies in the field of microscopic particle physics?"
The focus of attention then shifted to Professor Yang.
This question held a subtle intent, containing a small but significant trap, depending on whether Professor Yang could perceive it.
"I agree with part of it!" Although Professor Yang had just celebrated his 90th birthday, his mind remained exceptionally clear. He calmly stated, "Much of what Professor Wang has said is extremely accurate, and it is the viewpoint I have consistently articulated publicly: that for human civilization and technology to advance further, breakthroughs in the field of microscopic particles are essential. I strongly agree with this, and I am on the same side as Professor Wang."
"However, what we are discussing today is not the importance of the field of microscopic particle physics, but the question of whether we should build a high-energy particle collider?"
"I previously stated that I only agree with half of Professor Yang's viewpoint. Now, I will explain the other half, which I do not fully agree with: that a single high-energy particle collider cannot shift the entire center of high-energy physics research to China."
"All of you are elites of China, and you must understand very clearly that the status of a research center in a particular field is built upon a massive pool of R&D talent, abundant scientific research equipment, and an invaluable accumulation of technical expertise, creating a high-quality scientific research environment. Only then can a center for global scientific and technological development be established."
"Europe took 280 years to establish this center two hundred years ago. While the United States has only taken 100 years, they have also gone through two world-altering wars to finally establish this center. Is it possible to shift the entire center to China with just one piece of equipment? Is this realistic?" Professor Yang's voice was low but carried immense weight, each word resonating with the listeners.
Professor Wang, who had appeared full of confidence moments before, now had a troubled expression. He couldn't help but interject, "Alright, I admit that shifting a center is not that simple. But this is precisely why we need the high-energy particle collider. With this equipment, the transfer of the entire R&D center can begin. Without this equipment, none of this would be possible."
"Although the probability of success with it might be less than 5%, if we don't try, the probability is undoubtedly 0%. This concerns the national destiny for the next hundred years. How can we not act!" Professor Wang declared loudly.