On December 19, the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation 2023 Annual Awards Ceremony was held.

Academician Qi Faren China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation WeChat official account picture

A total of 56 outstanding scientific and technological workers were awarded the 2023 Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Science and Technology Awards. The highest award of the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation, the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Science and Technology Achievement Award, was awarded to Academician Qi Faren, the "Father of Shenzhou" in my country. He is a well-known space technology expert in my country, a pioneer and founder of my country's manned spacecraft, and has made systematic and creative contributions in the fields of manned spacecraft, satellites, aerospace components and strategic development of space undertakings. He proposed a development route for manned spacecraft that is in line with China's national conditions, made breakthroughs in key manned spacecraft technologies, and led the team to successfully complete the unmanned missions of Shenzhou 1 to 4, Shenzhou 5 "one man, one day", and Shenzhou 6 "many people, many people". "Sky" manned mission has laid a solid foundation for the success of my country's space laboratory and space station missions. He was responsible for the overall technical work during the launch phase of Dongfanghong-1, overcame many technical problems of Dongfanghong-2 and Dongfanghong-3, and made important contributions to the development of my country's communications satellites from scratch and from weakness to strength. Academician Qi Faren loves the motherland and devotes himself to aerospace. He has cultivated a large number of leading talents in scientific and technological innovation and engineering management over the years, and has led and inspired batches of astronauts to continue their efforts to build a powerful aerospace country. The Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Science and Technology Progress Award is awarded to 32 outstanding scientific and technological workers who have made major scientific discoveries or made outstanding contributions in the fields of physics, chemistry, life sciences, engineering technology and other fields. The Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Science and Technology Innovation Award consists of three categories: Youth Innovation Award, Industrial Innovation Award, and Regional Innovation Award, and was awarded to a total of 23 outstanding scientific and technological workers.

For the 2023 Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Science and Technology Award, 56 winners were selected from 917 valid candidates after the preliminary evaluation at the professional review group meeting and the final evaluation at the selection committee meeting. Among them, 1 person received the Science and Technology Achievement Award; 32 people received the Science and Technology Progress Award; 23 people received the Science and Technology Innovation Award (8 people received the Youth Innovation Award, 11 people received the Industrial Innovation Award, and 4 people received the Regional Innovation Award). The age span of the awardees is wide, with the oldest being 91 years old and the youngest being only 41 years old, with an average age of 58 years old. The average age of the Youth Innovation Award winners is 43 years old. The number of academicians of the two academies of science and technology awards accounted for 23.21% of the total, which is higher than that in 2021 and 2022. There are 4 female scientists and 2 from ethnic minorities.

The selection of the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Science and Technology Award presents the following characteristics: 1. The achievements of manned spaceflight are gratifying, and it is the first time for a "craftsman from a major country" to win the award. 2. Original innovations emerge. 3. Scientific research results benefiting the people increased. 4. Make breakthroughs in accelerating the filling of industry shortcomings. 5. Innovation achievements support industrial development in the western region. 6. Young talents are brave enough to serve the country’s major needs.

The Ho Leung Ho Lee Fund was founded in 1994 by Hong Kong patriotic financiers Ho Sin Hang, Leung Kau Ju, Ho Tim and Lee Quo Wai. It aims to reward outstanding Chinese scientists and serve the country's modernization drive. Over the past 29 years, a total of 1,582 outstanding scientific and technological workers have been selected and rewarded, becoming a successful example of social forces in my country creating science and technology awards, and playing a positive role in stimulating the vitality of my country's scientific and technological development and cultivating independent innovative talents.