Memorial Hall of Academician He Binglin

Memorial Hall of Academician He Binglin

The Memorial Hall of Academician He Binglin consists of 10 sections, including "Statue Tribute · Pride of Hometown People," which uses text and images to showcase Academician He Binglin’s lifelong dedication to China’s science and education. According to reports, in early 2011, the local government made a special trip to Nankai University to consult on the planning of the memorial hall.

To commemorate the unsung hero behind China's first atomic bomb and honor Academician He Binglin, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a polymer chemistry expert, the father of China's ion exchange resins, and founder of the Polymer Research Institute at Nankai University, the Memorial Hall of Academician He Binglin was opened in Shawan Town, Panyu City, Guangdong Province—the place of his birth and upbringing—during the New Year period in 2012.

Liu Zhenxiang, former Vice President of Nankai University, Li Pingying, former Party Committee Secretary of the School of Chemistry, Academician Zhang Quanxing of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Liu Keliang, Director of the Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, and Professor Zhu Xiaoxia from the University of Montreal in Canada, among others, visited the memorial hall to pay tribute to Academician He Binglin and unveil his commemorative bronze statue.

The bronze statue of Academician He Binglin, standing 1.08 meters tall and sculpted entirely in bronze, is a bust of the scholar, with the inscription “Father of China’s Ion Exchange Resins, He Binglin” on the base. An identical statue stands in the lobby of the Polymer Research Institute at Nankai University, where he worked upon returning to China. Today, the He Binglin Scholarship, initiated by him, continues to inspire students and faculty in Nankai’s polymer science programs to uphold his legacy and contribute to the nation’s scientific progress.

Academician He Binglin (1918–2007) was an unsung hero behind China’s first atomic bomb and the pioneer of China’s ion exchange resin industry. Known as the “Father of China’s Ion Exchange Resins,” he was a key contributor to the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” project. Born in August 1918 in Panyu, Guangdong, he studied at the National Southwestern Associated University in 1937, went to the United States for further studies in 1947, and earned his Ph.D. from Indiana University in 1952. In February 1956, with the help of Premier Zhou Enlai, he returned to China and joined the faculty at Nankai University. The 201 resin he developed was used to extract uranium for nuclear fuel, making a significant contribution to the success of China’s first atomic bomb.

Academician He Binglin dedicated himself to the development of the polymer chemistry discipline at Nankai University, reforming teaching and advancing research innovation. He trained and nurtured a large number of high-caliber, high-level scientific and technological talents for the country. He received more than 20 awards, including the Second Prize of the National Natural Science Award, the National Invention Award, the “Devotion to Defense Science and Technology” Honor Award from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, the First Prize of Scientific and Technological Progress from the Ministry of Education, the Award for Teaching Achievements from the Ministry of Education, the Ho Leung Ho Lee Prize for Science and Technology Progress, and the Tianjin Major Scientific and Technological Achievement Award. He was also named Tianjin Special-Class Model Worker and National Model Worker.

Ticket Information: The combined ticket is priced at 40 yuan, covering Liugeng Hall (He Clan Ancestral Hall), Sanren Hall, the Memorial Hall of Academician He Binglin, Shawan Cantonese Music Museum, and the Memorial Hall of Academician He Binglin.

Shawan North Village: Located north of the town center of Shawan and south of Qingluo Road, Shawan North Village covers an area of approximately 2.4 square kilometers, with 13 villager groups and a total population of over 1,760.

Shawan North Village boasts a history of over 800 years. Its ancient streets and alleys feature exquisitely laid-out architecture, all paved with granite slabs. The area includes provincial-level cultural heritage sites such as the Liugeng Hall, Guangyu Hall, and Chebei Street, forming a representative collection of Lingnan ancient buildings. Xiangxian Middle School, situated just north of the village center, has nearly a century of educational history and is a nationally designated... More details about Shawan North Village++