The central government yesterday encouraged the country's scientists to work "more innovatively" to further promote China's development of science and technology.

President Jiang Zemin reiterated that advanced science and technology are essential to the country's economic development and stressed that technological innovation, especially in the new frontiers of science, is a key to continuing the momentum of the country's science industry.

Jiang made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of the 11th Conference of Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Sixth Conference of Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), both of which are being held in Beijing from yesterday to June 1.

Around 1,200 academicians from the CAS and CAE, including a few foreign members, attended the biennial conferences.

Jiang, on behalf the central government, spoke highly of the importance of scientists' continuous creative research work and encouraged them to make "bolder" efforts to achieve "greater" breakthroughs in their academic fields.

The Chinese Government will as always give priority to science and technology advancement to achieve the goal of all-round modernization and sustainable development, according to Jiang.

Jiang also requested scientists to spare no efforts in those strategic and basic areas concerning the country's economic and social development, as well as national security.

Lu Yongxiang, president of the CAS, echoed Jiang's remarks yesterday urging his fellow academicians to closely follow the latest world trends and "wisely" choose their academic areas so as to make more breakthroughs.

According to Lu, Chinese scientists have made remarkable advances in life sciences, information technology, space technology and nano-technology in the past two years.

Furthermore, Jiang noted technological achievements should contribute to the economy more efficiently under the market economy.

Academicians were also urged to play a bigger role in popularizing science knowledge at home and in carrying out international academic exchanges and co-operation.

Young scientists were honoured as the hope of the country's science industry at the conference.

(China Daily May 29, 2002)