The next 20 years are a vital strategic period for China's development, a period which holds valuable opportunities for the professional development of Chinese scientists all over the world, said a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Friday.

He Guoqiang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks in a meeting with dozens of Chinese scientists who have come to China to attend a symposium on life sciences. He called on them to return to serve their motherland and carry out their own research to contribute to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Respect for talent and creativity has become a governmental policy in China. The Chinese government also encourages Chinese students to study abroad and to return home, although the decision to return or remain abroad is theirs.

From 1978 to 2002, a total of 580,000 Chinese pursued their education in over 100 countries or regions. Of this number, 150,000 have returned home. Statistics show that 81 percent of scientists with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and 51 percent of the administrators of China's colleges and universities have the study-abroad experience.

As the head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, He urged the various governmental departments to work harder to create a positive work environment and positive conditions for overseas talents who wish to return to work for their country.

The departments should focus carefully on human resources, he said, adding that they should first cultivate and make optimal use of domestic talents, and then assist the overseas talents who return home to serve their country.

In a related development, He paid an inspection visit on Wednesday to a life science research and development zone in Zhongguancun, known as "China's Silicon Valley" in a northwestern Beijing suburb.

(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2003)