The ceremony for Bank of China's additional donation to the Tan Kah Kee Science Award Foundation is held in Bank of China head office on May 7, 2008. In 2003, Bank of China financed the establishment of the Tan Kah Kee Science Award Foundation. Now, the bank donates additional RMB 10 million to further promote scientific and technological development and independent innovation in China.
Present at the donation ceremony are Lu Yongxiang, Vice Chairman of Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, President of Chinese Academy of Sciences and President of Tan Kah Kee Science Award Foundation, Bai Chunli, Executive Vice-president of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Li Jinghai, Vice-president of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiao Gang, Chairman of Board of Directors of Bank of China, Li Lihui, President of Bank of China, council members of Tan Kah Kee Science Award Foundation, and representatives of previous award winners.
At the ceremony, President Lu Yongxiang and Chairman Xiao Gang deliver their speeches on behalf of Tan Kah Kee Science Award Foundation and Bank of China respectively. Vice President Li Jinghai and President Li Lihui exchange donation certificate and check.
President Lu Yongxiang points out that the Tan Kah Kee Science Award aims to stimulate innovation and build a team of innovative scientists. Bank of China makes the donation to advocate independent innovation, promote scientific and technological development, and facilitate talent cultivation. The Chinese Academy of Sciences and Bank of China will further strengthen cooperation on a broader level. People from all walks of life are encouraged to support Tan Kah Kee Science Award Foundation and contribute to China's scientific development. More efforts will be made to build China into a harmonious country with a strong independent innovation capacity.
Chairman Xiao Gang states that Bank of China has the responsibility to support national scientific and technological development as a large state-owned commercial bank. The additional donation is a response to rapid Chinese scientific development. Under the guidance of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tan Kah Kee Science Award will encourage more scientific talents to embrace challenges and make progress, thus equipping China with unmatched scientific power and comprehensive national strength.
President Lu Yongxiang presents Bank of China with an inscription - "In pursuit of Excellence, Bank of China Encourages Innovation to Build a Country with Great Scientific Power", crediting Bank of China's support for scientific and technological development.
Background:
Enjoying the 20th anniversary this year, "Tan Kah Kee Science Award" was launched in 1988 and named after the renowned overseas Chinese Mr. Tan Kah Kee who made great contribution to China's educational and scientific development. Twenty years ago, Mr. Tan Kah Kee's relatives proposed to set up the award and entrusted Chinese Academy of Sciences to launch it. Eight award ceremonies have been held since then, with 63 scientists honored with Tan Kah Kee Science Award, including Wu Wenjun, Wang Xuan, Huang Kun, Liu Dongsheng, Wu Mengchao, Ye Duzheng and Li Zhensheng, who also won National Top Science and Technology Award.
In 2003, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Bank of China jointly raised RMB 30 million to establish the Tan Kah Kee Science Award Foundation. The award, officially named as the Tan Kah Kee Science Award, covers six fields including mathematical science, chemical science, life science, earth science, information science, and technological science. With one winner for each field, the biennial award are granted by the Chinese leaders in the General Assembly of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering. The Tan Kah Kee Science Award has become an important one to honor living Chinese scientists who have made exceptional scientific achievements or advanced superb technological inventions.
The appraisal of 2008 Tan Kah Kee Science Award is under way. The award ceremony will be held in early June 2008.
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