Research On China's Hydropower Development In 1949—1976 Through Studying The Then Elite Of Hydropower Science And Technology

The paper is a historical study on China's hydropower development in 1949-1976 through studying the then elite of hydropower science and technology.After the founding of the People's Republic of China(PRC)in 1949,the Communist Party of China(CPC)and the Chinese Government paid high attention to water conservancy and hydropower.During the period,the elite of hydropower science and technology who had studied in America during the period of the Republic of China(1912-1949)were recruited and put in important positions;outstanding young people were sent to the Soviet Union for study of science and technology of hydropower engineering;besides,China also,internally,made efforts to develop its talent pool of the field,creating favorable conditions for the elite of hydropower science and technology in their work on hydropower development.Therefore,the elite of hydropower science and technology were motivated to contribute to China's hydropower construction.With their enthusiastic and energetic support,China's construction of large and medium hydropower stations hit its climax,making outstanding achievements.This paper focuses on discussion of the elite's academic cultivation,distribution in science and technology practice,population characteristics,scientific innovation activities and results,commenting on their position and role in the hydropower development during the first 27 years of the PRC.As the mainline in the paper develops based on the practice of the elite of hydropower science and technology,the author figures out how China's hydropower cause developed during the 27 years from a new perspective and then sums up historical experience and lessons.In the paper,it is believed that the talents of hydropower science and technology well educated in the period of the Republic of China formed the fundamental talent pool vital to the hydropower development of New China;during the first 27 years of the PRC,the elite of hydropower science and technology played an important role as a decision maker and consultant in establishment of hydropower development systems and formulation of relevant policies;that the elite made great achievements in basic scientific research of hydropower on river sedimentation,high-velocity flow and hyper-concentrated flow,some of which reached the world-leading level;that the elite were in charge of the construction of high dams of various types in complex geologic environments,such as karst,making China achieve a breakthrough in hydraulic construction technology;and that thanks to arduous and unremitting endeavors of the elite,large and medium hydropower stations were built in China and lots of large and medium hydropower projects were completed one after another and played their roles in a synthetic way,laying foundation for further advancement of China's hydropower development after the reform and opening up.