The first conference of field science and technology since the founding of the People’s Republic of China was held by National Ministry of Science and Technology in Beijing on June 16th. Liu Yandong, member of Political Bureau of the Central Committee of CPC and State Councilor, attended the conference and delivered speech. Wan Gang, vice-chaiman of the CPPCC National Committee and minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology, reported on the national development of field science and technology. Advanced groups and individuals who had made outstanding achievements on the work of filed science and technology were commended at the conference. Professor Yu Shixiao from the School of Life Science, SYSU, was awarded the honorary title of "National progressive Individual for/in Field Scientific and Technological development”.

It is understood that the conference was aimed at generating suitable facilities for the development of field science and technology in the whole society, promoting the truth-seeking, pragmatic, diligent spirit and the original innovation in the related disciplines, and encouraging and guiding the researchers out of the labs to the cutting edge line of the field scientific research. 20 people, including Shi Yafeng, Yuan Longping, were conferred the title of “National Outstanding Contributor for the Field Scientific and Technological Work”. 192 people, including An Zhisheng and Chen Jiakuan, were conferred the title of “National Advanced Individual for Field Scientific and Technological Work”. 46 scientific research groups, including China’s Antarctic inland icecap scientific expedition team, were conferred the title of “National Advanced Group for Field Scientific and Technological Work”.