Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) poses with member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering Wang Zhongcheng (R) and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Xu Guangxian (L), who won China's 2008 State Top Scientific and Technological Awards, during the presenting ceremony of the awards at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 9, 2009. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

 

 

China's 2008 State Top Scientific and Technological Awards on Friday went to neurologist Wang Zhongcheng and chemist Xu Guangxian for their outstanding contributions to technological innovation. 

President Hu Jintao presented the two 5-million-yuan (730,000 U.S. dollars) awards to the scientists at the Great Hall of the People.

Premier Wen Jiabao said in a keynote speech that scientific and technological strength decided the country's destiny and its modernization would depend on the development of science and technology.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers a keynote speech at the presenting ceremony of China's 2008 State Top Scientific and Technological Awards at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 9, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)

 

Wen said knowledge and technology were important factors in sustainable development, especially during the present global financial crisis.

He urged science and technology workers to help businesses and rural areas to speed up development and become productive. They should help improve management, develop new products and technologies, and actively involve themselves in economic development.

Wang Zhongcheng, 83, a native of east China's Shandong Province, is a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director of the Neurosurgery Science Institute of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Xu Guangxian, 89, a native of east China's Zhejiang Province, is an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and former president of the Chinese Chemical Society.

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway project received a State Special Award for Scientific and Technological Progress. The Experimental Advanced Super-conducting Tokamak (EAST) nuclear fusion reactor project and 25 other scientific achievements shared the first prize for scientific and technological progress.

The ceremony was jointly held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council.

 

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang presides over the presenting ceremony of China's 2008 State Top Scientific and Technological Awards at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 9, 2009.  (Xinhua Photo)

 

Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong addresses the presenting ceremony of China's 2008 State Top Scientific and Technological Awards at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 9, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)

 

China's 2008 State Top Scientific and Technological Awards are presented in Beijing, China, on Jan. 9, 2009.(Xinhua Photo)

Wang Zhongcheng, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, makes a speech at the presenting ceremony of China's 2008 State Top Scientific and Technological Awards held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on Jan. 9, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)

 

Photo taken on Jan. 9, 2009 shows the presenting ceremony of China's 2008 State Top Scientific and Technological Awards held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. (Xinhua Photo)

 

Photo taken on Jan. 9, 2009 shows the presenting ceremony of China's 2008 State Top Scientific and Technological Awards held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. (Xinhua Photo)