The number of patents owned by scientists is playing a more significant role in determining whether or not they will be awarded China's science and technology prizes, experts say.

For his achievements in the development of safer pesticides, Song Baoan, a professor from Guizhou University, recently won a Science and Technology Innovation Award this year from the Hong Kong-based Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation. It is the most influential non-government prize in China.

He also owns eight related invention patents.