In a ceremony underscoring Beijing’s commitment to strategic self-reliance, the 2025 State Science and Technology Awards have been conferred upon two titans of Chinese innovation: Chen Liquan and Ben De. As recipients of the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, the country's highest scientific honor, these individuals represent the dual pillars of China’s contemporary rise—green energy leadership and advanced defense capabilities.
Chen Liquan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is widely regarded as the foundational figure of the Chinese lithium battery industry. His pioneering research in solid-state ionics and the eventual industrialization of lithium-ion batteries provided the technical bedrock for China’s current global dominance in the electric vehicle (EV) and battery storage markets. By elevating Chen, the state acknowledges that the ongoing energy transition is not merely an environmental goal but a critical component of national economic security.
Simultaneously, the recognition of Ben De highlights China’s relentless pursuit of military modernization and parity. A researcher at the 14th Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), Ben led the development of the nation’s first indigenous airborne pulse Doppler radar. This technology was a watershed moment for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, enabling domestic fighter jets to operate with modern situational awareness and precision, effectively ending a period of total reliance on foreign sensor technology.
The selection of these two laureates reflects a broader shift in China's innovation policy, which now prioritizes 'hard tech' over consumer-facing software. Amid intensifying geopolitical competition and Western export controls, Beijing is focusing its highest accolades on scientists whose work directly addresses perceived 'choke points.' These awards serve as a clear directive to the scientific community: national prestige and resources will flow to those who can secure China's industrial and military autonomy.