Truly worthy talents

Despite pervasive discredit of many other prizes and honors awarded by administrative authorities, the State Top Scientific and Technological Award proves, once again, that it's the exception.

Like the 14 honorees before them, the recipients of the 2009 award -mathematician Gu Chaohao and carrier rocket and satellite expert Sun Jiadong - are well worth the award.

Professor Gu, who has been teaching and conducting research for more than 60 years, has been a leader in some of the nation's most crucial research and development projects. He has also fostered generations of young talent in mathematics.