President Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC, highlighted the important role of scientific progress and innovation in China's socialist modernization at a panel discussion held by the CPC Politburo on Monday.

He called for strong advocacy of a scientific view of development and steady development of the nation through science and education.

In his speech, Hu reiterated that the science and technology are a driving force behind economic and social development. China should follow a road of scientific innovation with its own characteristics.

At the panel discussion, Sun Honglie, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Professor Wan Gang, of Tongji University, also delivered talks.

(Xinhua News Agency December 29, 2004)