Science programs crucial to the development of medicine, industry,
agriculture and transportation received official recognition on
Monday at the State Science and Technology Awards.
President Hu Jintao,
Premier Wen
Jiabao and other central government leaders turned out to honor
300 cutting edge projects at the ceremony in Beijing's Great Hall
of the People.
Among the innovations being celebrated was a new
digital positioning system partly developed by the Beijing University of
Aeronautics and Astronautics.
The system, more accurate than conventional radar,
has been adopted by Air China and other major airlines.
Chief scientist on the project Zhang Jun said:
"It's such an honor and exciting for me to know that, after 10
years of effort, it has paid off both in terms of the system's
commercial application and in recognition from central government
and the general public."
The invention is key in making the increasingly
busy skies safer for air traffic, Zhang's colleague, Jiang
Zhiqiang, added.
Speaking at the ceremony, Wen extended his
congratulations to the winning scientists and encouraged all
China's inventors, researchers and developers to follow their
example.
He also called on scientists to focus their sights
on progressing technologies to solve the problems of
development.
This included the need to use energy resources more
efficiently, reverse the effects of pollution and protect the
environment.
Advances could provide the basis for development
that caters to the needs of the economy, society and nature, Wen
said.
"Talent is the cornerstone of scientific progress …
big scientific projects should involve a gathering of special
talents," he added.
The awards are divided into five categories: the
Supreme Science and Technology Awards, the Natural Science Awards,
the Technological Invention Awards, the Technological Progress
Awards, and the International Scientific Cooperation Awards.
Five foreign scientists were also honored with
International Scientific Cooperation Awards this year for their
work promoting scientific cooperation between China and other
countries.
Daniel Vasella from Switzerland picked up an award
for his work developing medicines for China's medical
companies.
Kenneth W. Gentle from the US received recognition
for his contribution to cooperation in nuclear fusion.
Italian Corrado Clini was honored for work on
environmental development and the exploitation of solar and other
energy resources.
Richard Chang from the US took an award for
developing China's information industry.
And Kenji Ekuan from Japan, who has been active in
improving China's production of electrical goods, also received an
award.
Despite the large number of honors handed out, none
of the programs were selected to win China's top science award, the
Supreme Science and Technology Award, referred to by some as
"China's Nobel Prize."
Insiders said projects recommended for the gong
failed to meet the relevant high standards.
(China Daily March 29, 2005)
