BEIJING -- China honored a number of scientists and scientific groups Saturday ahead of the nation's first science and technology workers' day, which will fall on May 30.

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, congratulated the award-winners and greeted some of the country's science and technology staff at a ceremony.

Ten groups, including the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment team, and 28 people were given the "scientific innovation and advancement award."

The 28, including military researcher Wang Guozhong, were given badges, while another 254 people, including cancer treatment researcher Ding Lieming, were given certificates.

The award will be given once every three years.

In his speech, Liu said the CPC Central Committee highly valued scientific innovation and had led China to move towards becoming a world-leading science power.

"Science and technology workers should push supply-side structural reform, focus on the nation's major strategies and projects, and realize the deep integration of scientific innovation and social and economic development," Liu said.

Liu said they should be bold and challenge the most cutting-edge scientific subjects, striving to "put forward more original theories, make more original discoveries and make more scientific achievements that lead the world."

He asked them to follow the example of late Chinese geophysicist Huang Danian, learning from his dedication to science and the country.

Liu also asked Party and government authorities to pay more attention to scientific innovation, and to train and promote more talented people in the field.

"Scientific associations in China should also make efforts to create a sound social environment where people admire sciences and respect innovation" he said.