习主席为中国"氢弹之父"于敏颁奖

Eighty-eight-year old Yu Min is a prominent theoretical physicist, whose groundbreaking research led to the development of China's first hydrogen bomb in 1967.

His award ceremony has taken place at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was on-hand to grant Yu Min the “State Preeminent Science and Technology Award for 2014.”

Speaking to reporters after receiving his award, Yu Min admits his first choice would have been to remain out of the area of applied physics.

"Whenever the nation needs me, I'll do my best. But at that time, I wanted to resume my research in the field of theoretical physics, which had been my interest after we produced the H-bomb. But later things developed out of my control. So I stayed in the applied research field."

The award itself includes a cash prize worth five-million-yuan, which is around 800-thousand US dollars.

A majority of the prize money, almost 4.5 million yuan worth, is set to be used for future scientific research under his guidance.

Yu Min began as a researcher at the Modern Physics Research Institute with the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1951 after graduating from Peking University.

During his time with the Academy, he studied nuclear weapon theory, and is credited with solving a series of problems surrounding the testing of the H-bomb.

His research eventually led to the successful testing of China's first Hydrogen bomb in 1967, just three years after China's first successful atomic weapons test.

He also says it's the science behind the weapons which has kept him going through his long career.

"I think as a scientific researcher I have been following the principles of science, living a simple life and maintaining inner peace. I will never work against the principles of science, regardless of material temptations, coercion or pressure from officials."

China began its nuclear weapons program in the 1950s.

At the height of the Cold War, Chinese nuclear scientists were under intense pressure to fast-track the country's nuclear weapons program in the face of potential nuclear threats from both the United States and the Soviet Union.

Though one of only a small number of nuclear armed countries, China has maintained a no-first-use policy since the first nuclear test in Lop Nor in 1964.

The Chinese government established the "State Preeminent Science and Technology Award" sixteen years ago to encourage scientific research.

So far, 25 Chinese scientists have won the award, including "The Father of Hybrid Rice" Yuan Longping and urban planner Wu Liangyong.

For CRI, I'm Yin Xiuqi.