Chen Liquan, a leading figure in solid-state battery development, has been awarded China's State Pre-eminent Science and Technology Award, the country's highest scientific honour.
The recognition, announced alongside radar technology pioneer Ben De, signals Beijing's continued prioritisation of advanced energy storage and defence technologies as critical pillars of national strategy.
The award highlights the government's focus on solid-state batteries, a technology widely viewed as the next frontier in electric vehicle and grid storage efficiency.
By elevating the profile of researchers like Chen, authorities aim to accelerate domestic innovation and reduce reliance on foreign intellectual property in key battery components.
This development arrives as China consolidates its influence over global battery mineral markets.
Beijing recently opened its lithium carbonate futures market to foreign traders, a move designed to cement its role in setting global prices for the critical raw material.