China approved the establishment of 34 new non-governmental science and technology awards on Thursday, bringing the total number of such science and technology awards to 81.
The non-governmental science and technology award refers to award established by a non-governmental social organization or individual to honor those who make special achievements in technological innovation, high-tech industrialization and the promotion of scientific and technological accomplishments.
According to Shi Dinghuan, secretary general of the Ministry of Science and Technology, fourteen of the 34 newly-established awards are especially designed for individuals who make breakthroughs in science and technology, and "they will all go to young or middle-aged scientists and teenaged science lovers."
Non-governmental science and technology awards are a part of China's National Science and Technology Award Scheme which was initially launched in 1955. The scheme also includes five categories of state awards, with the top prize totaling five million yuan (US$630,000).
(People's Daily October 18, 2002)
