“Generals’ Residence,” a peculiar name, wouldn’t you agree? Right here, in the midst of what we now call the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), stands this unassuming three-story red brick building. Jiangjuntang, as it’s known in Chinese, or “Generals’ Residence”, doesn’t immediately shout its significance. It whispers it. Imagine the secrets held within these walls. This Generals’ Residence has witnessed tremendous change over the past half-century. It has seen this land transform from rural tranquility to the heart of China’s rocket science endeavors.
The Generals’ Residence was built in the late 1950s. It was a time when CALT was in its infancy, surrounded by desolate fields, not the modern complex you see today. Living conditions were basic back then. Many people resided in dilapidated factory buildings. These residences, including the Generals’ Residence, were specifically built for CALT’s second president, Liu Ji, and its second political commissar (party secretary), Zhang Zhen. They provided better accommodation for them and the vice presidents.
The Generals’ Residence spans 452 square meters. It comprises two floors, divided into two apartments, one on the east and one on the west. Each apartment boasts nine rooms spread across both levels. One fascinating detail is the meeting room on the first floor, large enough to accommodate a dozen people. It was in this very room that the two generals, along with their colleagues, meticulously charted the course for China’s aerospace ambitions. The Generals’ Residence stands as a historical monument, a silent observer of CALT’s dramatic growth over nearly 60 years.
Beyond the generals, other notable figures resided in the Generals’ Residence. Liu Ji and Zhang Zhen lived here for seven years. Experts such as Xie Guangxuan and Lu Qingkui also called this place home. In later years, the building also served as office space. The story of the Generals’ Residence doesn’t end with high-ranking officials and experts. Ordinary people lived here too. In 1961, before the dormitories were finished, a group of newly graduated university students assigned to CALT spent a winter here. Hu Shengyin, a retired member of CALT, recalled the old president’s welcoming words: “Welcome. Come join me. Let’s brave your first winter in Beijing together.” The students remained in the Generals’ Residence until spring arrived, after which they moved to their “new homes” in CALT’s archives building.
In its early days, CALT constructed two “Generals’ Residences” and five “Presidents’ Residences”. During the 2008 construction of CALT’s Senior Activity Center, six of these buildings were demolished. One Generals’ Residence was preserved as a testament to history. This remaining structure stands as the sole “Generals’ Residence”.
Today, the Generals’ Residence is poised to unveil its rich cultural value to the world. CALT plans to transform it into an archive museum. The restoration and exhibition design are underway. This summer, the Generals’ Residence will officially open as an educational base for new employees. It will also serve as a crucial window into China’s aerospace history and spirit.