China honors pioneers of lithium batteries and radar technology

China has awarded its top science and technology prize for 2025 to lithium battery pioneer Chen Liquan and radar expert Ben De in a ceremony in Beijing.

Chen, 86, is a researcher at the Institute of Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE). He is widely recognized as the founder of China's lithium battery sector.

Ben, 88, is a researcher at the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation and a CAE academician. He is acclaimed as the founder of China's airborne pulse Doppler radar technology, and a pioneer in both phased array and space-based surveillance radar technology.

The ceremony was held alongside the national science and technology award conference, the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the CAE, and the 11th national congress of the China Association for Science and Technology.

Wednesday's meeting honored 258 projects and 11 scientific and technological experts, with 51 projects receiving the State Natural Science Award, 58 the State Technological Invention Award, and 149 the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award.

Nine experts also received the China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.