Rewarding science

Bank of China President Li Lihui (left in the picture) hands a check for 10 million yuan to Li Jinghai, vice-president of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), to support research and development efforts by Chinese scientists.

The money is for the Tan Kah Kee Science Award Foundation founded in 1988 in the name of a prominent businessman, community leader, and philanthropist in colonial Singapore. Tan later left Singapore for China where he served in various positions in the Chinese Communist Party. Tan was given a State funeral in 1961.

The foundation offers prizes to outstanding Chinese scientists.

In 2003, the Bank of China joined hands with CAS with a funding of 30 million yuan. Prizes are divided into six categories, mathematics and physics, chemistry, biological science, earth, information technology, and technological science and awarded every two years.

A committee composed of senior professionals and experts is currently assessing and evaluating candidates for this year's award. The results will be released and the prizes will be delivered early next month.

(China Daily 05/26/2008 page8)