Five projects which Shanxi participated in were honored with the second prize of the 2016 China State Science and Technology Progress Awards in Beijing on Jan 9.

The projects covered several industries, including coal mining and medical care. There were three projects in which local companies were engaged, including Taiyuan Iron & Steel Group, which helped research and develop techniques and equipment that can produce ferro-nickel with a high nickel content.

With local companies as the driving force, Shanxi has promoted innovation and reform to its industries so as to achieve a technology-driven economy, according to the director of Shanxi Science and Technology Department.

Apart from the five projects, a further 165 projects completed by institutions and businesses across China were recognized by the State Science and Technology Progress Awards for their contributions to innovation and technological progress.