The Chinese government Friday awarded six foreign scientists for their outstanding achievements in cooperation with Chinese colleagues in science and technology.

The scientists are Michael Petzet, Charles Y. Yang, Bjorn Erik Wilhelm Nordenstom, Huanyu Mao, Kuroda Yoshimasu and Jose Israel Vargas.

German heritage protection expert Petzet, 69, led a group of archaeologists to research protection of the colored layers of the terra-cotta warriors excavated in the Qinshihuang Tomb.

Yang, a 71-year-old Chinese American, guided Chinese agriculturists to cultivate fine species of farm produce. He helped popularize advanced agricultural technology throughout China.

Nordenstom from Sweden, 82, invented a new method for curing lung cancer. He started a medical training campus in 1987 in China and also allowed Chinese medical workers to use his technology freely.

Mao, a 51-year-old Chinese Canadian, helped Chinese enterprises develop lithium batteries. He is now employed by China's Ministry of Information Industry.

Japanese petrologist Kuroda, 75, initiated the Research Center for Mineral Resource Research and Exploration in China. As an honorary professor of the Institute of Geology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, he has done considerable work in improving bilateral scientific exchanges between Chinese and Japanese scientists.

Vargas, former Brazilian minister of science and technology who is now 74 years old, paid great attention to bilateral cooperation in space technology. Under his baton, Brazilian scientists joined hands with their Chinese counterparts to research earth resource satellites.

( February 2, 2002)