Prestigious award honors scientists

Prize money boost reflects 'care and support Party and nation have for science workers'

More prize money, breakthroughs in basic research and innovation to benefit the nation are the main characteristics of this year's National Science and Technology Awards presented in Beijing on Tuesday.

The prize money for the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, China's top scientific honor, has been raised from 5 million yuan ($725,000) to 8 million yuan, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.