Dr. Anton Zeilinger has been Einstein Chair Professor of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) since 2016. An esteemed physicist, he is the president of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and a foreign academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and of the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS). He is a pioneer and trailblazer in quantum physics and quantum information. Dr. Zeilinger has received numerous international prizes and awards for his outstanding contributions to the foundations of quantum physics, including the Wolf Prize in Physics, the International Quantum Communication Award, the inaugural Isaac Newton Medal, the Descartes Prize, and the Micius Quantum Prize.

In 2017, a research team led by Dr. Zeilinger took part in the intercontinental quantum communication experiment based on the Micius Quantum Experiment Science Satellite (QUESS) as a trusted relay. They constructed a secure and stable quantum communication spanning 4,600 km between Beijing and Vienna for the first time in history. This achievement was selected as a “Highlight of the Year” in 2018 in physics by the American Physical Society (APS). In 2019, he cooperated with professors from the USTC to build the first teleportation of a high-dimensional quantum system in the world, which was widely recognized by global academia.

Dr. Zeilinger has long been engaged in talent cultivation and international scientific research cooperation between China and Austria. He devotes great efforts to the development and future of young scholars, including a group of outstanding young Chinese scientists. Dr. Zeilinger has helped them make prominent contributions to the related scientific fields and co-published more than 60 papers in prestigious international peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Zeilinger has given multiple lectures on quantum frontiers at the Forum of Great Minds and the “Micius Salon” at USTC. His talks have encouraged students to devote themselves to quantum scientific research. He promotes China-Austria international academic collaboration, and strengthens the international academic exchanges of young researchers from both countries. He has been working closely with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) since 1983, organizing the Conference of the World Academy of Sciences that was attended by Bai Chunli, then president of CAS, and other academicians. His actions have greatly promoted cooperation and exchange between Chinese scientific researchers and the world.

His outstanding contributions to international cooperation between China and other countries earned him the 2020 Chinese Government Friendship Award.

The ceremony of the Friendship Award for 2020 and 2021 was held at the Great Hall of the People on September 30. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met all the 100 foreign experts who won the 2020 and 2021 Friendship Award, including Dr. Zeilinger, congratulated them on their achievements and highly praised their contributions to promoting Sino-foreign cooperation and talent cultivation in China.

The Friendship Award is the highest award given by the Chinese government to commend foreign experts who have made prominent contributions to China modernization. It recognizes about 50 winners every year. The 100 foreign experts who won the 2020 and 2021 award come from 32 countries. Almost 1,800 foreign experts have won the award since its inception in 1991, including six from USTC.

Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences