Zhang Wenhong, a leading expert in China's efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak, appealed for more support on public health and stressed the need to "counter vulnerabilities" at the Taihu Talent Summit in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on Aug 5.

Zhang, also head of the Center for Infectious Disease at Huashan Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai, attended the event as the leader of the infectious disease department of Wuxi No 5 People's Hospital. His team was listed in this year's Taihu Talent Project and received a check for 10 million yuan ($1.44 million).

"As you see, Wuxi makes good on its promises, and this money is cherished by those of us who normally rely on registration fees to make a living," Zhang said in a speech to express his gratitude to the Wuxi government for its generous prize money.

"My young team will be very happy and surely benefit from the government's support for public health," he added.