Chen Yu'ao, born in Qidong, Nantong, Jiangsu province, was recently awarded the Xplorer Prize. Chen attended the award ceremony along with the other 49 winners in Beijing on Nov 2.

Chen is a professor of modern physics at the University of Science and Technology of China and is well-known for his work in physics. In 2013, he won the European Physical Society's Fresnel Prize, becoming the second Chinese scientist to receive the honor.

He was granted the Xplorer Prize this year due to his outstanding contributions in quantum physics and quantum information. He expressed hope that a world-class center for quantum physics would be established in China in the future.

Chen Yu'ao (far left) and the other winners of the Xplorer Prize for mathematics and physics pose for a group photo at the award ceremony in Beijing on Nov 2. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

The Xplorer Prize was launched by Tencent Chairman and CEO Pony Ma along with 14 scientists in 2018 to encourage research in basic science and cutting-edge technology.

A total of 1,335 application materials were collected this year and 50 scientists were ultimately awarded. Each of the winners will receive 3 million yuan ($428,070) over the next five years.