Premier Wen Jiabao presided over a meeting in Beijing Tuesday to study and discuss a draft plan for medium and long-term national scientific and technological development.

The plan makes an analysis of China's status quo in science and technology, articulates development guidelines, strategic goals and the overall deployment of the country's science and technology for the coming 15 years.

It points out the major tasks in these fields, working out policies and measures for scientific and technological reform, establishing an innovation system and protecting science and technology.

The draft work started in June 2003, with more than 2,000 experts from several departments, including the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, involved.

Tuesday's meeting basically approved the draft plan, but decided to collect ideas and suggestions from various sectors for its further improvement.

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2005)