The Hong Kong-based Ho Leung Ho Lee (HLHL) Foundation on Wednesday granted science and technology awards to 57 Chinese scientists.

Of the winners, Fang Jiancheng, a professor from the Beihang University, was awarded 1 million HK dollars (129,000 U.S. dollars) for his achievements in spaceflight technology, while the other 56 scientists received 200,000 HK dollars each.

Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong, in her congratulatory letter sent on behalf of the State Council, the Cabinet, to the winners, encouraged the science workers to make greater progress in the future and meanwhile expressed gratitude to the foundation's donors.

The Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation, set up in Hong Kong in 1994, give annual awards to Chinese scientists. It is the most influential non-governmental prize in science and technology in China.

Over 800 people have received the honors so far.

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2008)