Among the people CCTV has chosen to receive our "Hidden Heroes" award, there is a pioneering nuclear physicist named as Zhu Guangya. Zhu Guangya made important contributions to breakthroughs in nuclear energy research and helped the country develop its nuclear arsenal.

Zhu Guangya: Nuclear pioneer and national hero.?[File photo]

China exploded its first atom bomb in 1964, with a hydrogen bomb following shortly in 1967 - setting a record for such a rapid advance. The event shocked the world, but also touched the heart of Zhu Guangya, who returning to China after completing his PHD in nuclear physics from the University of Michigan, devoted himself to researching nuclear energy.

Zhu Mingyuan, Zhu Guangya's son, said, "I wrote in my diary that we should pay tribute to scientists. My father didn't agree. He said workers, technicians and members of People's Liberation Army are all contributors."

In 1999, he was awarded a prestigious medal in recognition of his contribution to China's "Two Bombs, One Satellite" project which refers to the atomic bombs and a man-made satellite.