They've been excited for a while: the growth of basic research in China has been skyrocketing for years. (http://www.nature.com/news/science-in-china-1.20120 ht

They've been excited for a while: the growth of basic research in China has been skyrocketing for years. (http://www.nature.com/news/science-in-china-1.20120 http://www.nature.com/news/science-in-china-1.20120) The upcoming five-year plan includes a huge focus on research, and getting high-profile prizes is definitely a target.