06/09/2026
China Just Replaced Advertising With Something Far More Inspiring.🥹
A shopping mall in Shandong, China, made an unusual choice: instead of using prime advertising space to promote products, it put up a giant portrait of aerospace scientist Qian Xuesen.
The 7.8-by-5.6-meter display soon inspired other malls to do the same.
Across several regions, commercial spaces began featuring scientists including Qian Xuesen, Yuan Longping, Tu Youyou and Nan Rendong—people celebrated not for fame or entertainment, but for their contributions to science and society.
Qian Xuesen helped shape China’s aerospace program. Yuan Longping pioneered hybrid-rice research. Tu Youyou’s work led to the discovery of artemisinin, a major treatment for malaria.
And the idea spread beyond shopping malls, with science-focused displays appearing in metro stations, railway stations, trains and other busy public spaces.
For once, some of the most valuable advertising real estate wasn’t selling anything.
It was reminding millions of people who helped change the world. ❤️
