China awards top prize to scientists

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-27-2007 14:02

Scientist Li Zhensheng delivers a speech at the annual national science-technology prize awarding ceremony Tuesday. [Photo: sina.com]

China's most outstanding scientists of 2006 have been given top honors at the State Science and Technology Awards. The ceremony was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The question of who will win the nation's most prestigious State Supreme Science and Technology Award has been answered. He's 76-year-old academic Li Zhensheng from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

He's a well-known expert, who specializes in breeding wheat. His achievements have enhanced the nation's food security. And for this, he has been awarded the top honor and a cash prize of 5 million yuan or 600,000 US dollars.

No less anticipated was who will take first place in the natural science category. No one had been deemed good enough to win that honor in two years. But finally, two achievements in material research have led to the award of this top prize.

Also noteworthy is the Special Prize given to China's J-10 Fighter Aircraft Project in the State Science and Technology Advancement Award category. This is the second time a special prize has been given in this category, following the crowning of the nation's manned space flight project in 2003.

240 other achievements have taken lower level prizes in the State Science and Technology Advancement category. Two foreign experts have won the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.

Editor:Du Xiaodan