China's State Science and Technology Awards stand as the pinnacle of scientific recognition in the country, celebrating individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to scientific and technological advancement since their inception by the State Council in 2000.
The awards are divided into several categories, including the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, the State Natural Science Award, the State Technological Invention Award, the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award, and the China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.
Each year, only two individuals receive the prestigious State Preeminent Science and Technology Award. Notable past honorees include aircraft designer Gu Songfen and nuclear expert Wang Dazhong in 2021, as well as physicist Zhao Zhongxian and Nobel Prize-winning pharmacologist Tu Youyou in 2018. Agriculture pioneer Yuan Longping, known as China's \"father of hybrid rice,\" was among the first recipients, recognized for his groundbreaking work in agriculture and food security.
The selection process underwent significant changes in 2020, shifting from self-recommendations to a nomination system. This adjustment enhanced the award's prestige, reflected by a decrease in the award rate from 30 percent to 14.9 percent that year. Additionally, the number of special and first prize awards for the Technological Progress Award saw a 20 percent reduction, emphasizing the awards' commitment to excellence.
The revamped regulations underscore the importance of basic scientific research and original innovation. According to the guidelines, \"The State Science and Technology Awards shall closely be associated with major strategic needs and medium- and long-term scientific and technological development plans of the State. The State increases the rewards for basic research in natural science and for applied basic research.\"
International collaboration is also a key focus, with the awards recognizing foreign experts who have significantly contributed to China's scientific and technological advancements. In 2020, five award-winning projects involved foreign experts, and in 2021, eight foreign scientists and one international organization received the China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award, highlighting the global nature of scientific progress.
The National Office for Science and Technology Awards announced in April that the preliminary evaluations for the 2023 State Science and Technology Awards have been completed, with the final results expected to be revealed in the coming week.
Reference(s):
China's top science prize explained: A look at its history and future
cgtn.com
