First automobile manufacturer put into productionThe foundation-laying ceremony of Changchun No. 1 Automobile Plant, the first automobile manufacturer of the People's Republic of China, was held on July 15, 1953. The plant turned a new page in the automobile manufacturing history of China. Three years later to the date, Jiefang ("Liberation"), the first made-in-China truck, rolled off the production line.
First China-made airplaneIn July 1954, CJ5, the first airplane made in China, completed its first trial flight in Nanchang.
First fighter planeOn September 8, 1956, Shenyang Airplane Factory manufactured J-5, the first fighter jet in China. It was then approved to be put into batch-production.
Completion of Wuhan Yangtze River BridgeIn September 1955, the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge started construction. It was the first highway-railway bridge over the Yangtze River. The grand bridge opened to traffic on October 15, 1957. It is 1,670 meters (5480.3 feet) long with the main body stretching 1,156 meters (3,793feet). It has eight piers and nine holes. The bridge is divided into two levels, the upper level for bus transit and the lower one for trains. The driveway is 18 meters (59 feet) wide, enough room for 6 buses to run parallel.
First atomic reactorOn June 30, 1958, Xinhua News Agency reported that China had built its first heavy-water reactor and circular accelerator. This atomic reactor had a thermal power of 7,000-10,000 kW, and its circular accelerator could accelerate alpha particles, making its energy output reach 25,000,000 EV.
First black-and-white TV setIn January 1958, Tianjin Radio Factory produced the first China-made monochrome TV set – Beijing 820, a 14-inch TV set. On March 17 of that year, the TV set successfully received broadcasting signals.
Discovery of Daqing Oil FieldOn September 26, 1959, China pumped the first barrel of oil from the Daqing field. The oil field was named after the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. (Daqing literally means "grand celebration" in Chinese.)
First 10,000-ton ocean freighterOn November 27, 1958, China's first 10,000-ton ocean-going freighter, "Yuejin," set sail.