Chinese scientist Qin Dahe was awarded the International Meteorological Organization Prize, the top prize of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Tuesday.

Qin, born in 1947, is a glaciologist. As a member of the 1989 International Trans-Antarctic Pole Expedition he became the first Chinese ever to cross the South Pole. Qin has published numerous ground-breaking articles using evidence gathered from that trek.

"Inspired by the honor, I will continue my efforts to promote China's meteorological researches with our brilliant team members," Qin said at the ceremony.

He served as the director of the China Meteorological Administration from 2003 to 2007. Qin is now a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

"Meteorological and climatic conditions frequently go to extremes nowadays, against the background of global climate change. It poses a great challenge to human beings," Qin said. "The undertakings shouldered by meteorological sciences will become more and more important."

An award ceremony was held in the Great Hall of the People. Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, WMO President Alexander Bedritsky, WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud and several scientists and researchers attended.

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said the prize not only reflected Qin's remarkable contributions, but also should be considered an honor for all China's meteorological scientists and researchers.

Hui also spoke highly of China's meteorological contributions during the May 12 quake-relief work, the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, as well as the Shenzhou 7 spacecraft's flight mission.

"China will deepen meteorological cooperation with the WMO and other nations, and hopes the WMO will continue to devote attention and support to the development of China's meteorological cultivation," Hui said.

Each year, WMO members nominate candidates for the prize for outstanding work in meteorology and contributions to international cooperation in meteorology. It is also dubbed the "Nobel Prize in Meteorology".

The Executive Council of the WMO decided to recognize Qin this June. He was the second Chinese scientist to win the prize. The academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ye Duzheng, received it in 2003.

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2008)