China’s Xi calls to ‘seize high ground’ as satellite-image expert and quantum physicist take top science prize

Geospatial expert Li Deren and quantum physicist Xue Qikun have received China’s most prestigious State Pre-eminent Science and Technology Award

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Li Deren (left) and Xue Qikun have been honoured as part of China’s annual National Science and Technology Awards, which have been relaunched after a three-year hiatus. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:06pm, 24 Jun 2024Updated: 9:29pm, 24 Jun 2024

A satellite-imaging expert and a quantum physicist studying superconducting materials have received China’s most prestigious annual science prize as the awards reopened following a three-year break.

Li Deren, a noted geospatial expert and professor at Wuhan University, and physicist Xue Qikun, president of the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, trained for research degrees in Germany and Japan, respectively.

Chinese President Xi Jinping presented the pair with the State Pre-eminent Science and Technology Award at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday.

In a speech to mark the occasion, Xi underlined the need for a greater sense of urgency in pushing forward sci-tech innovation so that China can “seize the high ground”.

His remarks come as China seeks self-reliance in the face of Western sanctions in hi-tech areas including its access to semiconductor chips.

“There are still some shortcomings [and] weaknesses,” Xi said, calling to boost “national strategic scientific and technological forces” to support “basic research while encouraging free exploration”.