For the first time since 1999, when China started its National Scientific and Technological (S&T) award system, the top prizes for natural science and technological invention in 2006 were given simultaneously yesterday.

It shows that China's innovation capability has achieved remarkable progress, said Hu Xiaojun, director of the State S&T Awarding Office under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Between 1999 and 2005, the top prize was granted only in 2002 and 2003, reflecting the lack of original innovation in basic science, Hu said.