Premier Zhu Rongji yesterday called on overseas Chinese to share their talents with China.

Zhu made his remarks in a meeting with overseas Chinese experts attending a Sino-American technology and engineering conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

He said that with the advancement of science and technology, the quantity and quality of available talent is becoming an important factor when evaluating a country's development.

Compared with developed countries, China has been left behind in terms of professionals engaged in science and technology, though its reforms and opening-up drive have helped strengthen its position in the last two decades, he said.

Where China falls short the most, the premier said, is not capital but new technology, advanced management experience, and personnel with high-tech and modern-management skills.

He extended a "sincere welcome" to talented people, including overseas Chinese, from all over the world, saying they can enhance the country's development in various ways.

The Sino-American Technology and Engineering Conference has been held once every two years since 1993.

This year's conference, the fifth one, was held jointly by the State Economic and Trade Commission and the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2001)