CRI听力: China Honors Top Scientists

China's brightest minds have been given top honors at China's National Science and Technology Conference.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao spoke highly of their contribution, saying scientific innovation is the most powerful tool to fight against the global financial downturn and maintain the dynamics of economic prosperity.




Gu Chaohao, a mathematician, and space scientist Sun Jiadong have won China's 2009 State Top Scientific and Technological Award, the country's highest science honor.

Chinese President Hu Jintao handed out the award certificates at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The two scientists also received a cash prize of five million yuan, or 730-thousand U.S. dollars each.

83-year-old Gu Chaohao was honored for his "important contributions" to differential geometry, partial differential equations and mathematical physics, three sub-disciplines of modern mathematics.

"Chinese math research has a long way to go, but at least working hard for it makes me feel fulfilled and proud."

81-year-old Sun Jiadong played a leading role in designing the first Chinese satellite, Dong Fanghong I, launched in 1970, the first recoverable remote-sensing satellite in 1975, the first geostationary communication satellite in 1984 and China's lunar exploration program.

"I was studying airplane engineering there. I really hoped at that time my country could have its own spacecraft."

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also attended the awarding ceremony.

Upon commenting on the world economic crisis, he highlighted the irreplaceable role of scientific innovation to maintain economic vitality.

"Facing the new challenges and opportunities, countries around the world all focused upon the development of science. We need to try hard to narrow the gap and push China's economic progress onto the track of innovation and growth."(www.hXen.com)

In another category, the China Botany Journal won the first prize of the State National Science Award.

Meanwhile, the Moon-circling Exploration Project won the highest prize of the State Science and Technological Advancement Award.

Chen Xi, CRI News