Tu Youyou speaks during a seminar celebrating her winning the 2015 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in Beijing on October 8 (XINHUA)

Chinese scientist Tu Youyou's Nobel Prize in medicine has not only ignited an intense sense of national pride, but boosted morale among scientists across the nation.

At a symposium held by China Association for Science and Technology, dozens of scientists congratulated Tu and shared their opinions about Chinese science.

Shi Yigong, Vice President of Tsinghua University, said Tu represents the older generation of scientists, while "the relay baton has been passed on to the younger generation of scientists now, and we are fully confident about China's scientific development."

Hou Jianguo, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, said scientific study must be oriented to the needs of the society and that results are not achieved overnight, but through long-term effort.

The prize also led many to reflect on problems that have haunted Chinese science for years, such as an irrational appraisal system.

He Fuchu, President of Academy of Military Medical Sciences, said China must discard the old system in which relied on uniform criteria. "It is only in some non-mainstream areas that Chinese scientists have made breakthroughs," said He, adding the key lies not in the number of academic articles published, but in their quality.

Tu was awarded a share of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her contribution in the discovery of Artemisinin, a drug that has significantly reduced the mortality rates for malaria patients.

(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2015)