Chemist, bioengineer honored for breakthroughs

China has two winners of the annual First Prize of the State Natural Science Award for 2017, a testimony to the nation's growing research capabilities in fundamental science, experts said on Monday.

It is the first time in 12 years that China has two winners within a single year of the nation's highest honor for major scientific breakthroughs in fundamental research. The last time was in 2006, according to data from the Office of State Science and Technology Awards.

This year's winners are chemist Tang Benzhong and bioengineer Li Jiayang.