Historian Liu Heping states that Emperor Zhezong of Song sponsored Su Song's clocktower in 1086 in order to compete with the Liao for "scientific and national superiority."
O historiador Liu Heping afirma que o emperador Zhezong de Song, patrocinou a Torre do reloxo de Song en 1086 coa fin de competir coa torre de Liao por "superioridade científica e nacionalidade".