Professor O’Reilly received the ISTC Award from Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian. (PHOTO: THE EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA)

China has bestowed its 2020 International Science and Technology Cooperation Award (ISTC Award) to eight foreign scientists from seven countries and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 awards ceremony was held retrospectively by the Chinese embassies abroad.

The ISTC Award, recognizing scientists and institutions that have made great contributions to sci-tech progress of China, is a state-level annual award established by the State Council in 1994.

At the ceremony hosted on March 28 at the Chinese Embassy in France, Jacques P. Caen, a haematologist, and Alain J. Becoulet, a physicist specializing in fusion energy, received the award from Chinese Ambassador Lu Shaye.

Becoulet expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government and the Chinese Embassy in France, with special thanks to scientists in China's Hefei Institutes of Physical Science with whom he worked together.

"Science and technology can break through the obstacles of history, culture and the economy, narrow the distance between different ethnic groups, and jointly meet with the challenges of the times," he said, adding that, "I'm honored to witness the close cooperation and major achievements in the field of nuclear fusion research between China and France. We will continue to do a good job in international exchanges and cooperation for the common bright future of mankind."

Australian geoscientist Sue O'Reilly received the award from the Chinese Embassy in Canberra on March 24. Prof.O'Reilly has been committed to research collaborations in geosciences with Chinese universities and institutes since 1982. She has visited China many times and made important contributions to the development of China's geosciences, according to Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian.

"This award proves that scientific collaboration is an important way to build lasting international bonds in a changing world, and we have a responsibility to shape the future together," said O'Reilly, a 76 year-old professor.

Xiao said that the door between China and Australia for exchanges and cooperation in science and technology was opened as early as 1960s, and the cooperation has, "promoted the advancement of science and technology undertakings and economic and social development of the two countries."

To date, 136 foreign experts, three international organizations and one foreign organization have won the ISTC Award.