President Xi Jinping attended the awards ceremony in Beijing and presented China's top science award to explosives expert Wang Zeshan, aged 82, and virologist Hou Yunde, aged 88, for their outstanding contributions to the country's scientific and technological cause.

Both scientists are academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

The State Top Science Award is the highest award among the five national science and technology awards established in 2000.

The awards aim to raise awareness of the importance of scientific research, honor those whose work benefits the country, respect knowledge and science, and imbue young talent with the scientific spirit.

The awards are bestowed annually to no more than two top scientists with outstanding social contributions. The recipients of the award receive a certificate of honor, as well as a monetary prize of 5 million yuan ($769,000).

As of now, there were 29 outstanding scientists who had been awarded State Top Science Award.

At this year's ceremony, 271 projects and nine scientists were honored with awards.