Xu Jing, deputy director-general of the Department of Development and Planning from the ministry, was presented with the award at the World Energy Congress in Rome.

Xu was awarded for his vision and leadership in facilitating the transition to the hydrogen economy in China and China's involvement in the global hydrogen and fuel cell community.

"This is the recognition of China's achievements and efforts in developing hydrogen energy and other clean energy," Xu told Xinhua after the awards ceremony.

According to Xu, the Chinese government has invested around 880 million RMB (about 118 million U.S. dollars) in electric vehicles, half of which is dedicated to the development of hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles.

Together with Xu, Geir H. Haarde, Prime Minister of Iceland, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for developing hydrogen energy.