Academician Huang Xuhua with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, who is the chief designer of the country's first-generation nuclear submarines, was presented with China's top science award. For over three decades, Huang's work designing China's first-generation nuclear submarine remained top secret. In December 1970, China launched the Long March I, becoming the fifth nation to have a nuclear submarine. Huang was also one of the eight recipients of the Medal of the Republic in 2019 for his outstanding contributions to the nation. Other exemplary individuals who received the medal included agriculturalist Yuan Longping and Nobel laureate Tu Youyou.
