BEIJING - Two Chinese experts were awarded with international honors at the 62nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC) which opened Monday in South Africa, sources from the China Aerospace Science and technology Corporation said.

Liu Jiyuan was given the Von Karman Award, the highest such prize presented by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). It was also the first time a Chinese expert was given such an honor.

Liu was awarded for his great life-long achievements in science. As an expert in carrier rocket and strategic missile technologies, Liu made major contributions to the experiment and design of China's early carrier rockets.

Wang Liheng, another Chinese astronautical expert, was presented the Mykhailo Yangel Medal. The honor given by Ukraine is awarded to those who make great contributions to space rocket development and the international cooperation of space exploration.

The IAC, which is organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), is the largest space-related conference and selects an average of 1,000 scientific papers every year.