China’s top science award recipient donates 8 mln yuan to hometown education

Du Xiaogang (left), secretary of the CPC Kunshan Municipal Committee presents flowers to Qian Qihu

Chinese defense engineer, Qian Qihu, recently donated 8 million yuan he was given as a top science award winner to support education in his hometown Kunshan, east China’s Jiangsu province, China Youth Daily reported on Jan. 15.

The 82-year-old is an academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE). He was presented a medal and certificate by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Jan. 8, and awarded 8 million yuan in recognition of his preeminent contributions in the field of protection engineering theory, and to the theoretical system of China’s modern defense engineering.

Du Xiaogang (right) and Zhou Xudong (left), mayor of Kunshan, present a calligaphy work in recognition of his contribution to Qian Qihu

Not long after receiving the award, Qian decided to donate all of his prize money, setting up a grant fund in Kunshan to help more children from poor families go to school and remove themselves from poverty.

Officials from Kunshan government went to visit the professor at the Army Engineering University of the People's Liberation Army, to congratulate him and express their thanks.