Off the wire
• Chapter 35 of Kosovo issue "worse than recognizing its independence": Serbian PM  • Roundup: Embattled Kunduz residents suffer from bombed-hospital closure, MSF calling for independent probe  • China, Japan, ROK to hold fresh round of FTZ talks in December  • Parliament endorses Latvia's 2016 budget  • China's National Day holiday box office hits record high  • China applauds Normandy quartet meeting on Ukraine  • Djokovic eases past China's Zhang to reach China Open last 8  • Only 35.4 pct respondents support Abe's cabinet reshuffle: poll  • China's armed forces to recruit more civilian personnel  • Palestine FM slams int'l silence towards Israel's attacks  
You are here: 　 Home

First Chinese Nobel prize in science boosts morale

Xinhua, October 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

Chinese scientist Tu Youyou's Nobel Prize in medicine has not only ignited an intense sense of national pride, but boosted morale among scientists across the nation.

At a symposium held by China Association for Science and Technology Thursday, dozens of scientists congratulated Tu and shared their opinions about Chinese science.

Shi Yigong, vice president of Tsinghua University, said Tu represents the older generation of scientists, while "the relay baton has been passed on to the younger generation of scientists now, and we are fully confident about China's scientific development."

Hou Jianguo, vice minister of science, said scientific study must be oriented to the needs of the society and that results are not achieved overnight, but through long-term effort.

The prize also led many to reflect on problems that have haunted Chinese science for years, such as an irrational appraisal system.

He Fuchu, president of Academy of Military Medical Sciences, said China must discard the old system in which relied on uniform criteria. "It is only in some non-mainstream areas that Chinese scientists have made breakthroughs," said He, adding the key lies not in the number of academic articles published, but in their quality.

Tu was awarded a share of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her contribution in the discovery of Artemisinin, a drug that has significantly reduced the mortality rates for malaria patients. Endi