In a recent announcement, two esteemed Chinese scientists, Li Deren and Xue Qikun, have been honoured as the recipients of China’s top annual science award for the year 2023. This prestigious accolade was bestowed upon them in recognition of their remarkable contributions to scientific and technological innovation.
At 84 years old, Li Deren is widely renowned for his expertise in the fields of photogrammetry and remote sensing. Throughout his illustrious career, he has been committed to enhancing China’s capabilities in surveying and remote sensing. Notably, Li successfully pioneered the development of core technologies for global high-precision positioning and mapping using satellite remote sensing, addressing numerous challenges associated with the high-precision processing of remote sensing satellite images.
Moreover, in the aftermath of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, Li identified the country’s limitations in high-resolution remote sensing capability and led a pioneering effort to develop a fully automated high-resolution earth observation system in China. During the 2020 COVID-19 epidemic, his innovative use of aerospace remote sensing methods facilitated the timely environmental assessment of the construction of makeshift hospitals, ultimately having a profound impact on public health and safety.
Meanwhile, Xue Qikun, aged 61, is a distinguished figure in the field of condensed matter physics. He has made significant strides in scientific research, including the groundbreaking experimental observation of the quantum anomalous Hall effect, an achievement that garnered international recognition within academic circles. Furthermore, his discovery of interface-enhanced high-temperature superconductivity in heterostructure systems has opened up new avenues of exploration in the realm of high-temperature superconductivity on an international scale.
Xue’s prodigious accomplishments extend to being awarded the 2024 Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Physics Prize, marking the first time the prestigious accolade has been conferred upon a Chinese physicist since its inception in 1953. Notably, he also holds the distinction of being the youngest recipient of China’s top science award, a testament to his exceptional contributions to scientific advancement.
Born in East China’s Linyi in 1963, Xue completed his PhD in Physics at the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1994. His academic journey further led him to the Institute of Metal Materials at Tohoku University in Japan. Later, in August 1999, he was selected to participate in the Hundred Talents Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, marking a pivotal moment in his illustrious career.
Xue Qikun’s influence in the academic sphere is reflected in his previous roles as the vice president of Tsinghua University and his current position as the president of the Southern University of Science and Technology. His dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering academic excellence continues to have a profound impact on the scientific community.
As we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Li Deren and Xue Qikun, it is imperative to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of these distinguished scientists in advancing the frontiers of scientific knowledge and technological innovation. Their unwavering dedication serves as an inspiration to aspiring scientists and researchers worldwide, underscoring the pivotal role of scientific discovery in driving societal progress and transformation.