Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili on Friday asked officials in local governments and various departments to highlight the importance of science education in order to improve the nation's scientific knowledge by 2020.

China's State Council in mid-March issued strategic guidelines, outlining plans to boost Chinese people's knowledge of science from 2006 to 2020.

Chen, also head of a national science knowledge workshop, chaired the workshop's first meeting on Friday.

"The guidelines are helpful in boosting the nation's innovation, solving problems in the rural areas, and facilitating a sustainable development of the whole society," Chen said.

While ordering leaders of various government departments to pay close attention to implement the guidelines, Chen said it is important to urge the public to actively participate in the educational programs.

Schools and the media are also playing crucial roles, she noted.

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2006)