A scientist who won the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award recognizes the value that China has placed on policymaking.

"Science has become a high policy priority in China, and this is in contrast to many Western countries where science innovation is not given the same level of encouragement as in China," Philip Rolston, vice-president of International Herbage Seed Group, wrote in an e-mail to China Daily.

Rolston was one of seven foreign scientists who won the award.