Chinese President Xi Jinping called for the accelerated transformation of China into a scientific and technological powerhouse, and for it to achieve higher levels of self-reliance and strength in science and technology to provide strategic support for national development. Meanwhile, the country will enhance international cooperation in areas such as climate change and human health, and proactively integrate into the global innovation network to contribute more in building a community with a shared future for mankind, said Xi. The Chinese President made the remarks when addressing the 20th General Assembly of Academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the 15th General Assembly of Academicians from the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and the 10th National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology. In recent years, China’s science and technology capabilities have witnessed a qualitative leap, characterized by many historic achievements and breakthroughs in innovations, basic research, strategic high-tech fields, and high-end manufacturing, Xi said.
President Xi called for China’s scientific community to tackle the world’s scientific and technological frontiers, create innovations that can serve the economy and major national needs, and promote the health and well-being of the people. Xi also urged them to create more strategic and critical scientific and technological achievements, and focus on solving major science and technology issues that are limiting the nation’s overall development and long-term interests. Research universities should become a main driving force behind basic research and major scientific and technological breakthroughs, while leading enterprises should help modernize the nation’s basic industrial capabilities and industrial chains, he said. China should also build an open innovation ecosystem and take part in the global governance of science and technology, Xi said. China will put greater emphasis on cultivating high-end talents and innovative research teams, while granting research institutions and scientists more autonomy, thus freeing them from unnecessary paperwork, appraisals and other distractions. China will also optimize its policies to attract high-end foreign talents to work or have exchanges with peers in China.
Ma Xingfa, Vice President of the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology, said his organization will enhance dialogue and cooperation with international science organizations, universities, high-tech parks and companies to create platforms for close and long-term cooperation, the China Daily reports.
