Poll: Youths hope to keep legacy of scientists alive

Respondents inspired by their idols' love for country, willingness to serve people

A majority of young Chinese are taking scientists such as Yuan Longping, known as "the father of hybrid rice", and Wu Mengchao, the "father of Chinese hepatobiliary surgery", as their idols, with many of them recognizing and wanting to pass on their scientific spirit, a recent survey found.

The nationwide survey, conducted by Beijing-based China Youth Daily, polled 1,630 people ages 14 to 35 and found that 81 percent of respondents said they were encouraged by the stories of the two top scientists and wanted to become scientists themselves. At least 95 percent of them cited renowned scientists such as Yuan and Wu as models for their lives.

Yuan died at age 91 in Changsha, Hunan province, on May 22. Wu, 99, died in Shanghai, also on May 22.