Scientists awarded nation's top science prize
- Source: Global Times
- [02:58 January 12 2010]
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(Far left) Sun Jiadong. (Left) Gu Chaohao. Photos: Xinhua
By Guo Qiang
Two senior scientists in the field of mathematics and rocket science from the Chinese Academy of Sciences were awarded Monday with China's top science honor, dubbed the nation's version of the Nobel Prize, for their outstanding contributions to scientific and technological innovation.
President Hu Jintao honored mathematician Gu Chaohao, 84, and space scientist Sun Jiadong, 81, with China's 2009 Top State Scientific and Technological Award at the Great Hall of the People. They were each awarded 5 million yuan ($732,300).
The two laureates have brought the number of winners to 16 since the award was established in 2000.
The country's highest science honor goes to two recipients at most each year. The oldest winner so far was well-known botanist Wu Zhengyi, at 91, in 2007. The youngest winner was Wang Xuan, at 64, in 2001. The average age of the winners is 81.
China's lunar-exploration program and two other scientific programs also received a Special State Award for Scientific and Technological Progress.
With an aim to speed up scientific progress and improve the country's overall strength, the State Council set up five awards in 2000: the State Top Scientific and Technological Award, the State Natural Science Award, the State Technological Invention Award (STIA), the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (SSTPA) and the China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.
The top award wasn't given out in 2004. There have been no female winners, and eight academicians have studied abroad. According to the Legal Mirror, most of the winners have come from the aviation, agricultural, computer and medical sectors.
