Chinese scientists awarded top science award

Two Chinese scientists were today awarded the country's top science prize worth USD 722,000 for their outstanding contributions to scientific and technological innovation.

Physicist Zhao Zhongxian and pharmacologist Tu Youyou were presented the award at an annual ceremony held to honour distinguished scientists and research achievements.

Zhao is a leading scientist in superconductivity while Tu won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her discovery of artemisinin to treat malaria.

Winners are each entitled to an award of 5 million yuan (around USD 722,000).