As early as 1955, the government promulgated the Interim
Regulations of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Awards for Science,
establishing awards for major scientific and technological
achievements. In 1984, the government established the Awards for
Scientific and Technological Progress. Five national awards were
established in May 1999, covering science and technology, natural
sciences, technical invention, scientific and technological
progress, and international cooperation. These are presented by the
President of China at the annual National Science and Technology
Awards Ceremony.
In January 2006, CAS academician and meteorologist Ye Duzheng
and CAS academician and hepatologist Wu Mengchao each won a 2005
National Top Science and Technology Award. At the same time, 38
awards were given for natural sciences, 40 for technical invention,
and 236 for scientific and technological progress. Before this,
seven scientists have won the National Top Science and Technology
Award.
Local governments and non-governmental organizations have also
established science and technology awards. Many enterprises,
organizations and individuals both in China and abroad have
established regular science and technology awards? granted to
individuals directly engaged in research. These awards fire the
enthusiasm of scientists. Today approved awards include the DuPont
prize for innovation, the Li Siguang geology prize, the Zhan
Tianyou prize for civil engineering, the General Motors prize for
Chinese scientific and technological achievement, and the Bayer
prize for young scientists.
