Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said science and technology are playing the "supporting and the leading" role in China's socio-economic development.

At the seventh national congress of China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), Wen said scientific development and innovation could solve a series prominent problems occurring in China's development.

Science and technology could alleviate resource pressure in the agricultural sector, upgrade the structure of industries and products, transfer the economic growth mode and speed up development in education, public health and social affairs, Wen said.

He raised three goals for China's developing science and technology sector: help meet the country's new five-year plan, win a due place for China in the world's science and technology frontier and cultivate and create world-class scientists and researchers.

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Top leaders urge more sci-tech innovations

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C), along with China's other state leaders, meets with representatives attending the 7th national  conference of the China Association for Science and Technology in Beijing on May 23, 2006. [Xinhua Photo]

Vice President Zeng Qinghong delivers speech at the 7th national representative conference of the China Association for Science and Technology in Beijing on May 23, 2006. [Xinhua Photo]

The seventh national conference of the four-million-member China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) opened in Beijing on Tuesday with the presence of the country's top leaders including Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao and Zeng Qinghong.

Over 1,200 delegates attended the opening ceremony held in the Great Hall of the People Tuesday morning.

They are expected to review the work report submitted by the sixth national committee of the association and the draft revision of the CAST constitution, and discuss advice on building an innovation-intensive economy in China. full story>>