Dr Vincent Chan, General Atomics, USA, was honored the 2009 International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the People’s Republic of China for his contributions in promoting the Sino-USA fusion cooperation.
Mr and Mrs Dr Vincent Chan
Dr Chan and his wife, Pauline Chan were invited by the National Office for Science and Technology Awards (NOSTA) to attend China's State Top Scientific and Technological Award ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on January 11, 2010. This is the first time that this International S&T Cooperation Award was conferred at the Great Hall of the People in conjunction with other four top state S&T awards.
Before the award ceremony, China President Hu Jingtao, Premier Wen Jiabao, and other government officials met and took picture with all the laureates of the state S&T awards. Dr Chan received the Certificate on the stage from a China government official in front of some 3300 participants, including high officials from ministries, provinces and scientists and researchers from all research fields.
Following the award ceremony, State Councilor Liu Yandong met Dr Chan and other International S&T Cooperation Awardees, and conferred the medals to them.
Immersed in festival and solemn atmosphere, Dr Chan was excited and humbled. “It is not only a great honor for me, but also an honor for General Atomics, and for the whole US fusion community”, said Dr Chan.
Background Information:
International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the People’s Republic of China
The International Science and Technology Cooperation Award was launched in 1994 by the State Council. It is granted to foreign scientists, science and technology engineers and managers, or organizations that have made important contributions to China's bilateral or multilateral scientific and technological cooperation. Up to 10 foreign individuals and organizations each year can receive the award. By the end of 2009, 57 foreign experts and international institution had won the award.
Seven scientists were honored in 2009, outnumbered the previous years. They are Prof. Arima Akito (Japan), Dr Vincent Chan (USA), Prof. Britton Chance (USA), Prof. Michel Che (France), Prof. Agustin Lage Davila (Cuba), Prof. Yuen-Ron Shen (USA), and Prof. Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker (Germany).
State Science and Technology (S&T) Awards:
The State Science and Technology (S&T) Awards are the top S&T honors instituted by the State
Council. They include:
1. the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award;
2. the State Natural Science Award;
3. the State Technological Invention Award;
4. the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award; and
5. the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the People’s Republic of
China.
Dr Chan and Prof Jiangang Li in front of Award billboard
