China grants the 2007 State Scientific and Technological Award to petrochemical scientist Min Enze and botanist Wu Zhengyi for progress in technological innovation.

CRI reporter Zheng Chenguang has the story.

Reporter:

Senior petrochemical engineer Min Enze, 84, is a native of Sichuan Province in southwest China. He is a member of the Sinopec Science and Technology Committee and a senior advisor of the Research Institute of Petroleum Processing.

China's oil refinery industry has seen a swift development in the past 50 years. The oil processing capacity has hit over 300 million tons, which make it the world's second largest refinery. From my personal experiences, I firmly believe the achievement was made through the scientific and technical workers' cooperation and unremitting efforts.

Botanist Wu Zhengyi, 91, is a native of southeast Jiangxi Province. He has been engaged in botanical research and education for 70 years. As the committee remarked, He is an authority in the fields of systematic botany and plant geography, as well as plant diversity, conservation and sustainable use of plant resources.

Premier Wen Jiabao said in a keynote speech that China has reached a stage in its history where it is more dependent on scientific and technological innovation, and it should strive to enhance its innovative capabilities, which are now a national strategic priority.

The scientific and technological workers should strengthen their research on scientific projects, including those for high-tech industries, environmental protection and control, food safety and production safety. These workers should also assimilate the advanced technological achievements from around the world to accelerate the development of science and technology in our country.

Wen Jiabao also said that government and Party officials should make friends with scientists and extensively take their advice.

He added the country should create a sound, respectful environment for scientists and scientific progress.

Zheng Chenguang, CRI News.