Yu Xiaogang, 52, also from China, was awarded for 'fusing the knowledge and tools of social science with a deep sense of social justice' to assist residents adversely affected by various dam projects.

Thailand's Krisana Kraisintu, 57, was cited for 'placing pharmaceutical rigor at the service of the patients through her untiring and fearless dedication to producing much-needed generic drugs in Thailand and elsewhere in the developing world'.

Carmencita Abella, president of the Ramon Masaysay Awards Foundation, said this year's awardees 'are true Asian heroes, putting their advanced knowledge and skills at the service of the critical needs of the people'.

'They all refuse to give up, despite the adversity and the opposition,' she said. 'These six awardees share a greatness of spirit which infuses their leadership for change.'

The Ramon Magsaysay Awards, Asia's most prestigious, were established in 1957 in memory of Philippine president Ramon Magsaysay, who died in a plane crash that same year.