Chinese government awards Prof. Yuanxi Wan

Professor Yuanxi Wan, one of the fathers of the EAST Tokamak and Vice-Chair of the ITER Science and Technology Advisory Committee (STAC), received China's 2008 State Top Scientific and Technological Award.

The prize was presented to Professor Wan by Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing on 9 January. In his keynote speech, the Premier underlined that scientific and technological strength decided the country's destiny and its modernization would depend on the development of science and technology.

In a letter congratulating Professor Wan, ITER Director-General Kaname Ikeda offered his warmest congratulations: "This official recognition is richly deserved and underlines the international respect that already exists for the world class science that is carried out at EAST."