Chinese geographer
Hou
Renzhi, renowned for achievements in desertification research
and preservation of ancient Chinese cities, received an award from
the
National
Geographic Society (NGS)of the United States here Thursday.
The NGS Committee for Research and Exploration Chairman's Award,
the top honor from the committee, recognized the excellent work of
Hou, an NGS grantee who has contributed to new knowledge of the
world, said Martha Church with the committee, who presented the
award.
Hou received a grant from the committee in 1989 to "assess the
garden history and geographical significance of two Qing
Dynasty (1644-1911) parks in northern China."
Hou, now 90, was considered one of China's most productive
geographers and his work has transcended the boundaries of natural
and social science, Church said.
"He is really world-class," she said, adding that he was only the
second recipient of the award, following Lee Berger, a
paleontologist from South Africa, in 1997.
The Committee for Research and Exploration has funded more than
7,000 research projects and explorations around the world since
1890. At present some 280 requests for support of scientific field
research and exploration are approved each year.
Hou, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is
especially known for his studies on desertification in northwest
China which placed the country's historical geography at the
forefront of such research throughout the world.
He
is also a key figure in efforts to preserve the architecture and
cityscapes of old Beijing and integrate them with the emerging
modern metropolis.
The National Geographic Society, one of the largest nonprofit
scientific and educational organizations in the world, has
increased its influence not only in China's academic area.
Through cooperation with more than 40 local television stations
across the country, the National Geographic Channel is presenting
two TV specials in Mandarin, attracting millions of Chinese viewers
each week, said Ward Platt, managing director of NGC Network
Asia.
(Xinhua News
Agency October 26, 2001)