Biological instinct

The British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking has warned that communicating with aliens could be a threat to Earth. "If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans."

Liu's The Three Body Problem depicted the universe as a jungle with every civilization as a hidden hunter. Those who are exposed will be eliminated.

But Han Song, another Chinese science fiction writer, believes humans naturally want to connect, and he cites the internet as proof.

"I think aliens may think similarly. It is a biological instinct to connect with each other. Everyone wants to prove that they are not alone in the universe. Loneliness is intolerable to humans."

He also points out that the contact will be driven by curiosity and real requirements. "Humans will ultimately go to space to find resources and expand their living area, so it will be hard to avoid aliens. Contact with them, especially those with more advanced intelligence, may help us leap forward in civilization."

Regardless of the theoretical debate, scientists have never wavered in the search.

"I think we shall call out," Mao says. "In fact we have been yelling for years, and our radios and televisions are broadcasting in space all the time. Aren't you curious about what our counterparts would look like?

"If they are inferior or equal to us in terms of civilization, we won't be easily destroyed. If they are much more intelligent than us, they wouldn't be so narrow-minded as to compete with us. Some worry they will come to rob us of our natural resources, but they probably have the power to transform the entire globe already. What's the point of eliminating a much lower civilization?"

Mao believes the result will be significant however it turns out. "If we find other life it will undoubtedly be the most important scientific discovery in our history. If not, it shows that life on Earth is unique and we should respect life and cherish each other.

"No matter the outcome, we shall never stop searching, and I hope to hear more voices and contributions from Chinese scientists."