Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) hands over the award certificate to outstanding Chinese petrochemical scientist Min Enze at the awarding ceremony to grant the State Scientific and Technological Award for 2007 in Beijing on Jan. 8, 2008.(CCTV Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Jan. 9 -- China's leading scientists have been honored for their innovative work. Petrochemical scientist Min Enze and botanist Wu Zhengyi shared the highest prize for contributions to their fields.

    The awarding ceremony brought together top Chinese leaders, including President Hu Jintao, and prominent scientists.

    The State Supreme Science and Technology Award is the country's highest national science honor. The award recognizes important scientific breakthroughs.

    The 2007 prize is shared by Min Enze and Wu Zhengyi. 84-year-old Min Enze is known as the founding developer of China's oil refining catalyst while 92-year-old botanist Wu Zhengyi is a renowned plant taxonomist.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) hands over the award certificate to outstanding Chinese botanist Wu Zhengyi at the awarding ceremony to grant the State Scientific and Technological Award for 2007 in Beijing on Jan. 8, 2008. (CCTV Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Prizes are awarded in five categories, including the Natural Science Award and the Technological Invention Award.

    This time a record high of 90 projects won awards in these two categories.

    The year 2007 also saw a 30 percent increase in patent applications and companies contributed more technological innovations.

    Prize winner Wu Yiling said, "We need to enhance technological competitiveness through product innovation. It's the only way for companies to develop in modern times."

    Prize winner Zhang Xiaolu said, "We've invested more than eight billion yuan in scientific research and technological innovation. And we plan to invest another 6 billion yuan in the next three years."

    The 2007 prize winners are much younger than in previous years about sixty percent of them are less than 45-years-old. In 2006, just 35 percent of recipients were under 45.

    Prizes also went to three people who are not scientists. This is the second time awards have been given to ordinary people.

(Source: CCTV.com)