A total of seven scientific research achievements to which Shanxi province contributed won a clutch of National Science and Technology Awards at the 2019 National Science and Technology Award Conference held in Beijing on Jan 10, according to local officials.

The seven scientific research achievements -- involving the fields of mapping, agriculture, transportation, mining and equipment -- won a first prize and six second prizes for the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award. 

Of these, the program for the "key technology for the establishment of high precision digital elevation benchmarks in China and its promotion and application" -- with Shanxi institute of engineering surveying and mapping participating -- won the first prize.

Compared with 2018, the number of award-winning science and technology projects by Shanxi has increased, and the fields were more wide ranging, officials said. 

The province next plans to further stimulate innovation, as well as guide and encourage more scientific researchers to contribute to scientific and technological innovation and support its high-quality development, according to the director of the Shanxi Science and Technology Department.