PR89824

BEIJING, May 31, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Almost two weeks ago, China succeeded in its first Mars landing, attracting

world's attention to the important milestone in China's space exploration.

On Friday, science and technology as strategic support to national development,

focusing on self-sufficiency and innovation, was once again highlighted in the

country's development roadmap with the convention of the 10th national congress

of the China Association for Science and Technology in Beijing.

Sci-tech self-sufficiency and self-reliance

Accelerated efforts are needed in building China into a leading country in

science and technology and achieving sci-tech self-reliance and

self-sufficiency at higher levels, said Chinese President Xi Jinping while

addressing the meeting attended by about 3,000 people.

Noting the importance of making breakthroughs in core technologies in key

fields, President Xi stressed building a modern science and technology system

with the innovation confederations led by leading enterprises, supported by

universities and institutions, and coordinated innovation entities.

He pointed out that it is necessary to spur on the problem solving in major

sci-tech tasks, targeting the most urgent and pressing problems, and proceed

from the immediate and long-term needs of the country.

Basic and original research are critical in expanding new cognitive frontiers,

he added.

China's pursuit of independence in scientific innovation is reflected in its

various achievements, including the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, the

space exploration including lunar and Mars probes and the construction of

China's own space station, and the deep-sea manned submersible Fendouzhe. The

country has also developed its own high-speed railway technologies, 5G

communication technologies and artificial intelligence.

He also stressed the role of national laboratories and scientific research

institutions, high-level research universities, and leading enterprises in

science and technology, calling on them to make more strategic and key

scientific and technological achievements and strive to solve major scientific

and technological problems that affect China's overall development and

long-term interests.

Important are efforts in cultivating top-notch scientific and technological

personnel with global influence, steadily supporting a number of innovation

teams, and training more high-quality technical and skilled personnel, Xi said.

Innovation-driven development strategy

President Xi restressed the importance of innovation in the pursuit of

developing and shaping the new development advantages mentioned in China's 14th

Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for national economic and social development and the

long-range objectives through to the year 2035.

In 2016, the Chinese government set the target to make China one of the most

innovative countries by 2020 and a leading innovator by 2030, as well as a

leading global S&T power by the 100th anniversary of the founding of the

People's Republic of China in 2049.

Efforts are needed in deepening the reform of the sci-tech system and form a

basic system that supports all-around innovation, Xi said, adding that full

play should be given to the role of the state as an organizer of major

scientific and technological innovations.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, as

national strategic scientific and technological forces, should play a leading

role, Xi noted, adding that the China Association for Science and Technology

should shoulder the responsibility of the bridge between the government and the

scientific and technological workers.

He called for efforts to get deeply engaged in global scientific and

technological governance in areas such as public health and climate change, and

make Chinese science and technology to contribute more to the building of a

community with a shared future for mankind.

The Chinese president also extended greetings to sci-tech workers across the

country ahead of China's national sci-tech workers' day, which falls on May 30.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-05-28/Xi-Jinping-stresses-sci-tech-self-strengthening-at-higher-levels-10Dr6N2aiu4/index.html

SOURCE  CGTN