Why lithium battery and radar pioneers won China’s top science award

A lithium battery pioneer and a trailblazer in military radar technology are this year’s winners of China’s most prestigious annual science prize.

Chen Liquan received his 2025 State Pre-eminent Science and Technology Award for developing the country’s first lithium battery and helping to launch the industrialisation of the technology in China.

And Ben De, who led the development of China’s first airborne pulse-Doppler fire-control radar – a core sensor for fighter aircraft – also won for his contributions to national defence and security.

President Xi Jinping presented the pair with the awards at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday.

Addressing the ceremony, Xi said that China’s 15th five-year plan period would be critical for “building a powerhouse in science and technology”, and the country must “seize historical opportunities”.

He also said that China must “accelerate high-level scientific and technological self-reliance” and “solidly support and lead Chinese modernisation through scientific and technological innovation”.