Addressing a national meeting of senior executives of major colleges and universities, Li said science and technology and education would decide the destiny of China in the new century.

He called for greater efforts to promote the development of science and technology and education across the country in a bid to promote investment in human resources and technological innovation and commercialization of technological achievements.

The vice-premier also talked about the country's economic and social situation since early this year.

Among those attending the conference were Ding Guangen, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Zeng Qinghong, head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2002)