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.
SRCSouth China Morning Post
LANGEN
LEANCenter-Right
WORDS81
ENT10
WED · 2026-07-08 · 15:00 GMTBRIEF NSR-2026-0708-91278
NSR-2026-0708-91278News Report·EN·Technology
Why lithium battery and radar pioneers won China’s top science award
China's highest scientific honor, the State Pre-eminent Science and Technology Award, has been presented to two individuals for their significant contributions. Chen Liquan was recognized for developing China's first lithium battery and spearheading its industrialization.
Dannie PengSouth China Morning PostFiled 2026-07-08 · 15:00 GMTLean · Center-RightRead · 1 min
South China Morning PostFIG 01
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Briefing Summary
AI-generatedNEWSAR · AI
China's highest scientific honor, the State Pre-eminent Science and Technology Award, has been presented to two individuals for their significant contributions. Chen Liquan was recognized for developing China's first lithium battery and spearheading its industrialization. Ben De received the award for his leadership in developing China's initial airborne pulse-Doppler fire-control radar, a crucial component for fighter jets. These awards highlight advancements in both energy technology and national defense.
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Article analysis
Model · rule-basedFraming
Technology
National Security
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Ben De won the award for contributions to national defence and security.
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The airborne pulse-Doppler fire-control radar is a core sensor for fighter aircraft.
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Ben De led the development of China's first airborne pulse-Doppler fire-control radar.
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Chen Liquan also helped launch the industrialization of lithium battery technology in China.
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Chen Liquan received the 2025 State Pre-eminent Science and Technology Award for developing China's first lithium battery.
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Full report
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9 termsmilitary radar
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lithium battery
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science award
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technology industrialisation
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national defence
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pulse-doppler radar
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fighter aircraft
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chen liquan
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ben de
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