Zhao Zhongxian, an expert in high temperature superconductors, and herbal expert Tu Youyou received the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award for 2016. The award comes with a cash prize of 5 million yuan ($721,000). (Photo: China News Service/Liao Wenjing)
Two Chinese scientists, physicist Zhao Zhongxian and pharmacologist Tu Youyou, won China's top science award Monday for their outstanding contributions to scientific and technological innovation.
President Xi Jinping presented award certificates to them and offered congratulations at an annual ceremony held to honor distinguished scientists and research achievements.
Zhao is a leading scientist in superconductivity, while Tu won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her discovery of artemisinin to treat malaria.
Xi and other leaders, including Li Keqiang, Liu Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli, also presented other awards to the winners.
