What they say

Editor's Note: Five foreign scientists and one international NGO received the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award, which was presented by President Xi Jinping and other State leaders at a ceremony in Beijing on Monday. Established in 1994, the annual award is part of the State Science and Technology Awards. It honors up to 10 overseas individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to the scientific and technological development of China. China Daily interviewed four individual recipients and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.

"I've seen Chinese scholars go from having only a few contributions of international visibility to being one of the top leaders in academic research. I have seen many young researchers grow and seen cutting-edge equipment brought into Chinese laboratories that increasingly feature a high international standard.

China is also recruiting top, internationally trained talent in science and engineering fields. Changes may address more intense collaboration across fields, early independence of brilliant young scholars in the academic system and encouragement of female scientists to pursue an academic career.