Key Points:
- The Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and CAST released the inspiring stories of 10 outstanding “Most Beautiful Sci-tech Workers.”
- The recognized scientists work across critical sectors, including aerospace applications, deep-sea exploration, new energy batteries, and epilepsy treatment.
- The announcement coincides with the 10th National Science and Technology Workers Day on May 30 and the 26th National Science and Technology Week.
- Events nationwide showcase key achievements of the 14th Five-Year Plan and outline strategic goals for the 15th Five-Year Plan, from 2026 to 2030.
On Friday, the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in collaboration with the China Association for Science and Technology, released the stories of 10 outstanding individuals. Officially named “the Most Beautiful Sci-tech Workers,” these role models received this honor to encourage nationwide dedication to scientific fields. The government aims to inspire young students, researchers, and engineers to commit their lives to solving complex scientific mysteries. By celebrating these individuals, the country hopes to foster a culture that respects hard work, intelligence, and scientific exploration.
The list of honored individuals contains 10 prominent names: Yu Zongren, Kong Hainan, Su Quanke, Song Rende, Chen Lei, Jin Haizu, Zhao Yang, Gui Haichao, Xu Hongjie, and Huang Guiyun. Each of these professionals has dedicated decades to their respective fields, achieving breakthroughs that advance the national economy. Their work addresses the country’s critical needs, ensuring the health, safety, and prosperity of the Chinese public. Rather than working for fame, these researchers spent years in remote laboratories, deep forests, and ocean vessels to achieve their results.
The research fields of these scientists span a wide array of modern technology sectors, including aerospace applications and deep-sea exploration. As the country pushes the boundaries of space flight and ocean mapping, these experts provide the foundational physics and engineering designs needed for success. Other honorees focus on new energy batteries and the construction of massive cross-sea bridges. These battery technologies power millions of electric vehicles, while the advanced bridge engineering physically connects distant economic zones, reducing travel times and boosting regional trade.
Beyond heavy industry and space, the awards also recognize crucial contributions to agriculture, environment, health, and education. Honorees have made significant advancements in plateau livestock farming, helping rural communities secure sustainable food sources in harsh climates. Ecological protection efforts help restore fragile river systems and forests, while medical research in epilepsy treatment offers direct relief to millions of patients. Lastly, science popularization efforts bridge the gap between complex academic papers and the general public, sparking curiosity in millions of children who will become the next generation of scientists.
The timing of this announcement holds great significance for the nation’s scientific community. May 30 marks the 10th National Science and Technology Workers Day, a special holiday celebrating the contributions of millions of researchers nationwide. Additionally, the announcement coincides with the 26th National Science and Technology Week, which runs from May 24 to May 31. China originally designated May 30 as National Science and Technology Workers Day to create an annual tradition of honoring those who work behind the scenes to secure the country’s technological future.
Both national events share a unified theme focused on writing a new chapter in science and technology during the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030. This five-year planning cycle acts as the country’s primary development roadmap, setting specific targets for scientific self-reliance, green energy transition, and industrial upgrading. Over the next five years, the country intends to boost funding for basic research, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign technology. The stories of these 10 workers show the exact kind of dedication required to meet these ambitious national goals.
Across the country, local governments and educational institutions have launched a series of activities to celebrate these events. These exhibitions showcase the major technological initiatives planned for the 15th Five-Year Plan period while celebrating the substantial achievements of the previous 14th Five-Year Plan period from 2021 to 2025. Over the last five years, Chinese researchers have successfully launched advanced satellites, constructed deep-water drilling platforms, and achieved breakthroughs in quantum computing. The current exhibitions allow citizens to see these complex machines up close and learn about the science behind them.
The China Association for Science and Technology, in coordination with the Publicity Department, coordinates these public outreach events. They organize interactive science fairs, open house events at university laboratories, and public lectures by leading engineers. These activities aim to make science accessible to everyone, regardless of their academic background. By bringing high-level science into public parks, schools, and community centers, the organizers hope to demystify technology and build public trust in scientific research.
Government officials believe that sharing the stories of the “Most Beautiful Sci-tech Workers” will help attract more young people to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In recent years, the country has faced growing demand for skilled researchers to staff its expanding high-tech industries. By highlighting the personal sacrifices and triumphs of scientists such as Gui Haichao and Kong Hainan, the government aims to show that scientific careers are highly prestigious and deeply rewarding. They want young people to view these researchers as true national heroes, comparable to top athletes or cultural icons.
As the nation moves forward with its 15th Five-Year Plan, the focus on homegrown innovation will continue to grow. The achievements of these 10 honored individuals serve as a template for thousands of other researchers working quietly across the country. Through their hard work in aerospace, medicine, and ecology, these scientists prove that dedication to research can solve the country’s most pressing challenges. Their stories remind the public that behind every major technological breakthrough is a human being who chose to dedicate their life to the pursuit of knowledge.
