China awards two outstanding scientists
- Source: Global Times
- [14:55 January 11 2010]
- Comments
Chinese President Hu Jintao (C), poses with mathematician Gu Chaohao (R) and space scientist Sun Jiadong, who won China's 2009 State Top Scientific and Technological Award, during a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on January 11, 2010. (Xinhua photo)
Two scientists, Gu Chaohao and Sun Jiadong, both from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) were conferred the 2009 State Science and Technology Award, China's highest science honors on January 11, 2010.
Chinese President Hu Jintao bestowed certificates to the scientists in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and each of them was awarded 5 million yuan ($732,455).
Gu is a Chinese mathematician and space scientist. He graduated from Zhejiang University in 1948, and received a doctorate degree in physics and mathematical science from Moscow University in 1959. Primarily, he is engaged in research on partial differential equation, differential geometry, and mathematical physics. From 1988 to 1993, he served as vice president of Fudan University and president of the University of Science and Technology of China. Gu was elected an academician of the CAS in 1980.
Sun graduated from Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy in Soviet Union in 1958. He served in the Fifth Research Institute of Ministry of National Defense, conducting research on missiles after returning to China.
As the chief designer, Sun helped build China's first space satellite, Dong Fang Hong I, launched in 1970. He was also involved in the Shi Jian I satellite, China's first returning satellite set into space in 1975 and the country's first synchronized experimental communication satellite, Dong Fang Hong II launched in 1984.
Sun was awarded the prestigious "Two Bombs, One Satellite" Achievement Medal in 1999. Since 2003, he has been the chief designer of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program.
