On Jan.14th, 2011, the National Science and Technology Award Conference solemnly opened in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The leaders of our party and country, Hu Jintao, Wen jiabao, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang attended the conference and presented awards to the winners. Premier Wen Jiabao, on behalf of China’s central government and the state council delivered a speech. The conference was chaired by LI Keqiang.

Dr. Klaus Toepfer, Honorary Professor of Tongji University was bestowed with the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the People's Republic of China. During the past 20 years, Prof. Klaus Töpfer made tremendous efforts to promote Sino-German, Sino-African and Sino-UNEP cooperation. He proposed valuable advises to Beijing Olympics, 2010 World Expo and development of Chongming Eco-island, bringing in new concepts and technologies of water treatment, water resources management, sustainable development, etc. With his great support, UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development (UNEP-Tongji IESD) was jointly established by Tongji University and UNEP. Currently, he serves as Chair Professor of UNEP-Tongji IESD and is the Founding Executive Director of the the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS).

The International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the People's Republic of China was formally set up by the State Council in 1994. According to “Regulations on State Science and Technology Awards”, this award shall be conferred on no more than ten individuals or organizations each year, who have made important contributions to China's Science and Technology undertakings.

Up till 2009, the Chinese government has awarded 61 foreign experts from 16 countries and one organization.

In 2009, Prof. Klaus Toepfer was awarded as Honorary Citizen of Shanghai City.

 Shanghai Daily Report -- 2010 International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of China