Xi presents awards to top scientists

President Xi Jinping presented China's top science award on Monday to explosives expert Wang Zeshan and virologist Hou Yunde for their outstanding contributions to scientific and technological innovation.

Wang, 82, is an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He is known in the academic field as the "King of Explosives" for his research into compounds that have important civilian and military applications. His inventions have improved the launch range of Chinese missiles and cannons by more than 20 percent.

Hou, 88, also an academician at the CAE, is the founder of China's modern field of virology. He laid the foundation for China's molecular virus research, wrote numerous textbooks, created China's first genetically engineered drugs - highly potent medicines that can be mass-produced - saving millions of lives and billions for the country's economy.