On February 6th, 2025, Huang Xuhua, the chief designer of China's first-generation nuclear submarines, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and a recipient of the "Medal of the Republic," passed away at the age of 99. Across the country, people mourned the loss of this national hero, deeply honoring his outstanding contributions to the nation. From February 8th to 9th, in Wuhan, Hubei, a memorial ceremony was held where a submarine-shaped wreath stood quietly, as relatives, friends, and the public spontaneously came to pay their respects. 

In 1958, Huang was secretly summoned to Beijing, and from that moment, he "vanished" from public life for 30 years, dedicating himself entirely to China's nuclear submarine program. Research equipment was virtually non-existent then, and calculations relied solely on abacuses and slide rules. Every adjustment in ballasting meant starting over from scratch. Despite these challenges, he and his team overcame numerous difficulties. In less than a decade, they made China the fifth country in the world to possess nuclear submarines, fulfilling Chairman Mao's vow that "even if it takes ten thousand years, we must develop nuclear submarines." Faced with the title of  "Father of Nuclear Submarines," Huang remained humble: "This is the result of the collective efforts of millions of people. The credit belongs to the team."

In 1988, during the first deep-diving test of the nuclear submarine, the vessel's hull had to withstand external pressure of up to one ton per square meter, where even the slightest defect could lead to catastrophic failure. At over 60 years old, Huang volunteered to go down with the submarine, setting a precedent for a chief designer of nuclear submarines to personally participate in a deep-diving test.

Huang was known for his frugality, simplicity, and dedication. He cared deeply about the long-term development of China's scientific and nuclear submarine endeavors, as well as the growth of the next generation. He donated over 20 million yuan of his bonuses to research, popular science, and educational institutions.

Throughout his life, Huang devoted himself to the defense of the nation but never returned home to visit his parents. When his father passed away, he could not attend the funeral, and an old scarf left by his mother became his cherished companion. "Every time I wear it, I feel like my mother is with me," he said, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Pay tribute to the backbone of the Chinese people, may Mr. Huang rest in peace!" Countless netizens left messages of remembrance. Although Huang is gone, he left behind not only nuclear submarines but also a spirit of faith that will forever illuminate the Chinese nation's journey toward maritime strength.

Source: Lingnan on the Cloud

万人吊唁送别黄旭华

2025年2月6日，中国第一代核潜艇工程总设计师、中国工程院院士、“共和国勋章”获得者黄旭华逝世，享年99岁。一时间，全国各地民众纷纷悼念这位国之脊梁，深切缅怀他为国家作出的卓越贡献。2月8日至9日，湖北武汉的吊唁仪式上，潜艇造型的送别花静静伫立，亲友和群众自发前来致敬。

1958年，黄旭华被密召进京，从此“人间蒸发”，隐姓埋名30年，将全部心血奉献给中国核潜艇事业。当时科研设备近乎空白，计算全靠算盘和算尺，每一次配重调整都意味着推倒重来。他与科研团队克服重重困难，仅用不到十年，就让中国成为世界第五个拥有核潜艇的国家，实现了毛主席“核潜艇，一万年也要搞出来”的誓言。面对外界“核潜艇之父”的称号，黄旭华始终谦逊：“这是千万人共同努力的结果，功劳属于集体。” 

1988年，核潜艇首次深潜试验。艇体承受的外压高达每平方米一吨，任何微小缺陷都可能造成艇毁人亡。年过六旬的黄旭华主动请缨，随艇下潜，开创世界核潜艇总设计师亲自参与极限深潜试验的先例。  

勤俭朴实、甘于奉献的他，时刻关心国家科技事业、核潜艇事业的长远发展和下一代的健康成长，先后向科研、科普、教育机构捐献自己的奖金逾2000万元。

“向中国人的脊梁致敬，黄老一路走好！”无数网民留言缅怀，黄旭华走了，但他留给后人的不仅是核潜艇，更是一种精神信仰，将永远照耀着中华民族向海图强的征程。

黄旭华一生奉献国防事业，却未曾回家探望父母。父亲去世时，他未能奔丧，母亲遗物——一条旧围巾，成了他珍视的陪伴。“每次围着，我就感觉母亲在身边。”说到这里，已是白发苍苍的他泪水盈眶。

统筹｜林洁 侯恕望 黄丽娜
文｜羊城晚报记者 黎秋玲
图｜羊城晚报记者 曾育文
译｜赵凡
英文审校｜王枥焓