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Why lithium battery and radar pioneers won China’s top science award
🇨🇳 China /Energy & Infrastructure

Why lithium battery and radar pioneers won China’s top science award

From South China Morning Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Chen Liquan, a pioneer in lithium battery development, and Ben De, a leader in military radar technology, won China's top science award for 2025.
  • The awards were presented by President Xi Jinping at a ceremony in Beijing.
  • Xi emphasized the critical role of scientific and technological innovation in achieving China's modernization goals and accelerating self-reliance.

A pioneer in lithium battery technology and a trailblazer in military radar systems have been honored with China's most prestigious annual science prize for 2025.

building a powerhouse in science and technology

— Xi JinpingDescribing the goals for China's 15th five-year plan period.

Chen Liquan received the State Pre-eminent Science and Technology Award for his foundational work in developing the country's first lithium battery and spearheading its industrialization. Ben De was recognized for leading the development of China's first airborne pulse-Doppler fire-control radar, a critical sensor for fighter aircraft, significantly contributing to national defense and security.

seize historical opportunities

— Xi JinpingUrging proactive engagement with technological advancements.

President Xi Jinping presented the awards to the two distinguished scientists at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. During the ceremony, Xi underscored the importance of the nation's 15th five-year plan period, describing it as a pivotal time for "building a powerhouse in science and technology."

accelerate high-level scientific and technological self-reliance

— Xi JinpingEmphasizing the drive for technological independence.

Xi urged China to "seize historical opportunities" to accelerate high-level scientific and technological self-reliance. He stressed that the country must "solidly support and lead Chinese modernization through scientific and technological innovation," highlighting the central role of advancements in science and technology for the nation's future development.

solidly support and lead Chinese modernization through scientific and technological innovation

— Xi JinpingConnecting scientific progress directly to national modernization.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by South China Morning Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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