Thirty-two Chinese students studying in the U.S. Midwest have received Chinese government awards, which were delivered in Chicago by Chinese Consul General Hong Lei.

Yang Cheng, a PhD student at the University of Missouri's School of Journalism, and Fei Chen, a doctorate student at Northwestern University, received the highest awards, each worth 10,000 U.S.dollars.

"This outstanding academic award is a great honor and important recognition for me," Yang said at an award-granting ceremony. "I believe the insights from my studies can make great contributions to research in China in the future."

"I am extremely honored and grateful to receive this award," said Fei. "I am proud of my country for the concern it has for its citizens, especially researchers abroad, which confirms my determination to return to my homeland and continue my research."

Addressing the awardees, Hong deliberated on the rapid economic development in China in recent years, saying the development has provided boundless opportunities for Chinese students studying abroad.

The Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad is a scholarship set up by the China Scholarship Council in 2003 to honor overseas Chinese students with outstanding academic accomplishments.

In 2016, 155 Chinese students studying in the United States either received a cash award of 6,000 or 10,000 U.S. dollars.