Professor ZHU Rixiang is elected 2011 AGU Follow, who is the first honoree in mainland China. ZHU attended AGU honors ceremony on December 7, 2011 at San Francisco, California, USA. The Honors Ceremony is held annually to pay tribute to AGU Union Awardees, Medalists, and Fellows. There are 60 scientists elected AGU Follows this year.

To be elected a Fellow of AGU is a special tribute for those who have made exceptional scientific contributions. Nominated Fellows must have attained acknowledged eminence in the Earth and space sciences. Primary criteria for evaluation in scientific eminence are major breakthrough/discovery and paradigm shift. This designation is conferred upon not more than 0.1% of all AGU members in any given year. New Fellows are chosen by a Committee of Fellows.