The Chinese government conferred its International Science and Technology Cooperation Award to five foreign scientists for their contributions to China's science and technology development on January 14, 2011.

Three scientists from Germany -- Albert Hermann Gerhard Boerner, Klaus Toepfer, Folker Helfrid Wittmann -- Roger M. Bonnet from French and GAO Zhongxue from the USA, were honored.

Among them, Professor/Dr. Boerner and Professor Roger M. Bonnet were recommended by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Professor/Dr. Gerhard Boerner, a senior scientist of Max-Planck Institute for Astrophysics and a professor of Munich University, is a world leading expert on high energy astrophysics and cosmology.

In the 1990s, Professor Boerner creatively proposed to establish the Max-Planck Partner Groups (MPPGs) in CAS institutes, which has resulted in setting up more than 20 MPPGs in almost all disciplines. Most of the MPPGs are extremely successful. As the German partner, Prof. Boerner helped to establish the first MPPG in Shanghai Astronomical Observatory in 2000, which has been very successful. In 2005, he helped to establish the second MPPG in Shanghai Astronomical Observatory.

The great success achieved by the astrophysical MPPGs has enormously raised the standards of research in galaxy formation and cosmology at Shanghai Astronomical Observatory and in China, and has produced significant international influences in this field.

Professor Roger M. Bonnet’s early scientific work focused on solar physics. As early as in 1963, he launched the first French space astronomy experiment on board the Véronique rocket from Hammaguir in the Sahara.

Professor Bonnet has contributed greatly to the development of international cooperation with China in space related areas. The CAS and European Space Agency (ESA) partnership of collaboration was initiated by him during his term of office as the director of ESA.

With his support, China has also taken an active role in the International Council for Science (ICSU) Committee of Space Research and other international space science organizations.

The awards were conferred at a ceremony held for China's annual national science and technology awards in the Great Hall of the People.

The International Science and Technology Cooperation Award was launched in 1994 by the State Council. Up to 10 foreign individuals and organizations each year can receive the award.