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　　CHICAGO, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-two Chinese studentsstudying in the U.S. Midwest have received "national awards foroutstanding self-financed students abroad," which were delivered onFriday in Chicago by Chinese Consul General Hong Lei.

　　Zhao Boxuan, a former PhD student at University of Chicago andnow a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Genetics ofStanford University, and Chen Weijian, a doctorate student atWashington University in St. Louis, received the highest awards,each worth 10,000 U.S. dollars.

　　"I feel proud and grateful to receive this award," Zhao said atthe award-granting ceremony. "Chinese students studying abroad havereceived the support and care from the Chinese government, and Iwill devote my contribution to my home country by my studies."

　　"National awards for outstanding self-financed students is agreat encourage for all Chinese students studying abroad, and we'reconcerned about the development and change of our country." saidChen, "I will work hard and seek the opportunity to serve mycountry."

　　Addressing the awardees, Hong said with the rapid development ofthe country, China needs more talented people. "I hope you cancombine your career with the development of our country."

　　Zhang Xinya, a professor of Columbia College Chicago who hasbeen an evaluations expert for the scholarship for several years,also congratulated the winning students.

　　"In recent years, more doctoral students studying abroad in U.S.apply for the scholarship, and their submitted papers haveobviously increased in quantity and quality. I hope they can act asambassadors to expand academic exchanges between the twocountries." Zhang said.

　　The Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-FinancedStudents Abroad is a scholarship set up by the China ScholarshipCouncil in 2003 to honor overseas Chinese students with outstandingacademic accomplishments.

　　According to official statistics, 500 Chinese students studyingabroad received the scholarship in 2017. Enditem