The Fifth Institute under the National Defense Ministry, China's First Missile Research Center, is Launched on Oct 8, 1956

The Fifth Institute under the National Defense Ministry, China's first missile research center, is established on Oct 8, 1956. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

The Fifth Institute under the National Defense Ministry, China's first missile research center, is launched on Oct 8, 1956

The Fifth Institute under the National Defense Ministry, China's first missile research center, was established on Oct 8, 1956.

It was the predecessor of China Aerospace Science and Technology Group and China Aerospace Science and Technology Group.

Qian Xuesen was appointed as the president of the institute and Liang Sili was responsible for missile control system research.

Its establishment marked the beginning of China's aerospace industry and missile development.

Yumen oil field, China's first petroleum production base, is developed on Oct 8, 1957

Yumen oil field, China's first petroleum production base, was developed on Oct 8, 1957.

The field produced 755,500 tons of crude oil that year, 87.78 percent of the country's total output.

It evolved into a natural gas and petroleum base integrating geology, drilling, development, oil refining and machinery, as well as education and scientific research.

It was also the start of the country's large-scale oil industry construction and exploration.

(Executive editor: Zhang Tianyuan)