China Celebrates 10th National Science Workers’ Day

China celebrated the 10th National Science Workers’ Day on May 30 with a flagship ceremony in Beijing and thousands of science popularization activities across the country, underscoring the government’s push for technological self-reliance under the 15th Five-Year Plan. The centerpiece of the day was the 4th National Innovation and Striving Award (全国创新争先奖)表彰大会, which honored 291 science and technology workers and 9 teams for outstanding contributions to innovation and research, according to CCTV.

Background: A Decade of Celebrating Science

Established by the State Council on November 25, 2016, National Science Workers’ Day commemorates the landmark “Three Science Conferences” held on May 30, 2016 — the National Science and Technology Innovation Conference, the Academician Conference of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the 9th National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). The date was chosen to honor President Xi Jinping’s call for China to become a world science and technology power. This year’s theme was “Advancing the 15th Five-Year Plan, Writing a New Chapter in Science and Technology” (奋进’十五五’ 科技谱新篇), jointly organized by CAST, the Central Propaganda Department, and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Key Events and Awards

At the main ceremony in Beijing, 9 teams received the Innovation and Striving Award Medal, including the Songliao Basin International Continental Scientific Drilling Project Innovation Collective and the Aerospace Mechanism and Control Technology Collective. Twenty-nine individuals received the Innovation and Striving Award Medal, among them Wang Huijun of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, while 262 individuals received the Innovation and Striving Award Certificate, as reported by Guangming Daily.

CAST Chairman Wan Gang (万钢) delivered a keynote speech encouraging science workers to “seize opportunities, meet challenges, take on the mission and heavy responsibility of building a science and technology power, bravely venture into innovation ‘no-man’s land,’ and with breakthroughs ‘from 0 to 1’ and achievements forged over ‘ten years of sharpening a sword,’ declare to the world the ambition and capability of China’s science and technology community to stand on its own and lead the future."

"Most Beautiful Science and Technology Workers” Honored

On May 29, the Central Propaganda Department and CAST jointly released the list of 10 “Most Beautiful Science and Technology Workers” (最美科技工作者) for 2026, according to CAST. Among the honorees was Yu Zongren (于宗仁), a researcher at the Dunhuang Academy who has dedicated over 20 years to preserving ancient cave murals using cutting-edge technology. Other notable honorees included Gui Haichao (桂海潮), China’s astronaut and space science payload expert.

Museum Exhibitions and Public Engagement

The China Scientists Museum opened several new and upgraded exhibitions to the public, including the “Backbone of the Republic — China Scientists Museum Collection Boutique Exhibition” (upgraded version), a special exhibition honoring previous National Highest Science and Technology Award winners, and a commemorative exhibition marking the 100th birthday of “People’s Scientist” Gu Fangzhou, who developed the oral polio vaccine that saved millions of Chinese children.

Nationwide “Happy Science Week” Activities

Across the country, thousands of science popularization activities engaged the public. In Mianyang, Sichuan, students visited the former residence of Deng Jiaxian (邓稼先), the father of China’s atomic bomb, for immersive learning about scientists’ research and lives. In Shanghai, 2,000 science activities were held simultaneously, with key laboratories opening their doors to the public. Science popularization vehicles traveled to rural areas under the theme “Mobile Science Popularization Opens New Journeys,” aiming to spark scientific curiosity among children in underserved regions.

Spotlight: Yu Zongren — Guardian of the Thousand-Year Murals

Yu Zongren, born in the 1970s, graduated from Lanzhou University in 2000 and chose to work at the Dunhuang Academy rather than pursue more comfortable urban careers. Now Director of the Protection Research Institute at the Dunhuang Academy, he has published over 50 academic papers, authorized 7 patents, and participated in formulating 3 national standards. He led the first-ever cliff mural relocation and off-site restoration project in China at the Jiazhajia Mountain Cave in Sichuan, with cumulative transformation benefits exceeding 30 million RMB. His conservation philosophy is built on three principles: “See Clearly” (看得清), “Understand Thoroughly” (摸得透), and “Manage Effectively” (管得住), as detailed by CAST/Gansu Science and Technology News.

Analysis and Implications

National Science Workers’ Day serves as a key platform for reinforcing science and technology as a national priority. The event aligns with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and the broader goal of achieving technological self-reliance by 2035. The recognition of scientists from diverse fields — space exploration, cultural heritage preservation, medicine, and agriculture — demonstrates the breadth of China’s science and technology ambitions. The youth-focused activities, including school visits to scientists’ former residences and lab openings, are designed to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals and bridge the urban-rural science education gap.

What’s Next

As China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the emphasis on indigenous innovation and scientific excellence is expected to intensify. The “Most Beautiful Science and Technology Workers” release ceremony will air as a special television program in the coming weeks, further amplifying the message of scientific dedication and national service.