Gathering the Red Spirit of Sichuan-Tibet, Praising the New Chapter of the Heavenly Road

Chang'an University Summer Social Practice Team to the Sichuan-Tibet Region

To listen to the epic of struggle on the snowy plateau and write a new chapter in the contemporary inheritance of the "Two Roads" spirit, on the afternoon of July 12, 2025, the Chang'an University summer social practice team to the Sichuan-Tibet region, themed "Carrying the Torch of the Two Roads, Exploring the Snowy Plateau's Thoroughfares · Gathering the Red Spirit of Sichuan-Tibet, Praising the New Chapter of the Heavenly Road," invited Professor Mao Xuesong from the School of Highway Engineering to engage in an in-depth exchange focused on the contemporary interpretation of the "Two Roads" spirit and the mission and responsibility of the new generation of road builders.

During the interview, Professor Mao Xuesong fondly looked back on the magnificent journey of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. She told the practice team members that on the plateau at altitudes above 4,000 meters, known as the "forbidden zone of life," generations of road-building pioneers faced unimaginable extreme challenges such as severe cold and oxygen deficiency, treacherous geology, and frequent disasters. They battled the obstacles with their own flesh and blood, paying the enormous price of an average of 1.4 lives sacrificed per kilometer, before finally paving this world-renowned "Heavenly Road" atop the snowy plateau. Gazing upon this history soaked in blood, sweat, and loyalty, Professor Mao Xuesong pointed out: "It is precisely this earth-shaking, extraordinary hardship that forged the monumental 'Two Roads' spirit of 'fearing neither hardship nor death, striving tenaciously, willingly serving as the roadbed stone, unity between the military and the people, and ethnic solidarity.'"

Looking to the future, Professor Mao Xuesong pointed out that the "Two Roads" spirit remains the core spiritual driving force for road builders to overcome difficulties and serve national development in the new era. She earnestly exhorted the young students to be good relay runners in carrying on this spirit: first, to build a solid professional foundation; second, to grasp frontier trends; third, to embrace a sense of mission for the country and the people, integrating personal development into national needs, actively devoting themselves to major national projects such as "maintaining the Two Roads well," practicing the "Two Roads" spirit wherever the motherland needs them, and contributing the strength of their youth. "The value of the new generation lies in integrating the 'Two Roads' spirit into practice and continuing to write the answer sheet of our times."

The relay and inheritance of the "Two Roads" spirit between Professor Mao Xuesong and the practice team members deeply moved the members, who came to profoundly understand that the "Two Roads" spirit is a monument of dedication forged by countless predecessors with their youth, sweat, and even their lives. The members expressed that they will take this practice as a starting point to deeply explore the contemporary value of the "Two Roads" spirit, consciously shoulder the mission of inheritance, and with professional knowledge and practical action, contribute the strength of Chang'an University people to building a safer, more convenient, and more sustainable transportation powerhouse, so that the "Two Roads" spirit shines forever in the relay of youth!