Hu Qili, chairman of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation poses for photos with prize winners of the 9th Soong Ching Ling Pediatric Medicine Award on Thursday in Beijing. [Photo by Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn]

A batch of pediatricians in China were recognized for their outstanding achievements through the 9th Soong Ching Ling Pediatric Medicine Awards ceremony that was held on Thursday at the former residence of Madame Soong, wife of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, in Beijing.

The award, which was launched in 2006 jointly by China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF) and Ministry of Health (now the National Health and Family Planning Commission), and sought to promote advancement of pediatrics in China.

It has become the most authoritative prize in China in terms of pediatric medicine, and the award winners reflect the latest developments in pediatrics in the country, said Qi Mingqiu, CSCLF's deputy chairman.

Prof. Chen Jing from Shanghai Children's Medical Center, affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, is the leading researcher of the team that won the award. Her study, optimization of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and its application in children's rare diseases, will help infants with congenital immunodeficiency by transplanting hematopoietic stem cells to help promote white blood cells.

"By transplanting hematopoietic stem cells, we are now able to re-establish a healthy immune system so that the patient may live a normal life. Previously, such patients could not live longer than one year," said Chen, noting her team's achievements are "world-leading."

The award's organization committee ensures the publishing of the latest prize-winning technologies and sharing clinical practices, thus improving the capabilities of pediatricians.

"Apart from promoting pediatric medicine in China, the Song Ching Ling Pediatric Medicine Award also aims to strengthen exchanges between China's more-affluent eastern and the less-developed western regions," Qi said.