The annual congress of the China Association of Science and
Technology (CAST) opened on Saturday in Urumqi, capital of
northwest China's Xinjiang
Uygur Autonomous Region.
This year's meeting, with 6,700 scientific workers from across
the country attending, trumpets the theme of scientific concept of
development and sustainable use of resources.
While addressing the opening ceremony, State
Councilor Chen
Zhili urged Chinese scientific workers to be innovative and to
expand reform on the institutional system for scientific and
technological work.
"It is imperative to push forward the drive of constructing a
state innovative mechanism from all fronts, to seize the time in
working out measures aimed at encouraging innovation, to introduce
the strategies on rejuvenating the nation via science and education
and improving the national strength via talents, be firm with
promoting scientific and technological progress and innovation and
to strive for the establishment of an innovation-oriented state,"
said Chen.
The state councilor also hoped that the broad masses of the
Chinese scientific workers would make greater efforts in
publicizing and expanding recycling economy, constructing a society
with a saving mindset and advancing a sustainable development.
She also asked Chinese scientific workers to vigorously
disseminate scientific knowledge, popularize practical advanced
technologies for the benefit of the people.
Chen's remark about innovation was echoed by CAST Chairman Zhou
Guangzhao who also emphasized in a separate speech that
capabilities of innovation were the core part of the competing
power of a nation.
At the opening ceremony, Wang Lequan, secretary of the Xinjiang
Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee of the Communist Party of China
(CPC), delivered a welcoming speech and gave an introduction of
Xinjiang's main achievements in the past five decades.
Two awards, "Truth-Seeking Outstanding Scientists Award" and
"CAST Truth-Seeking Outstanding Youth Award", were also conferred
at the opening ceremony, presided by Deng Nan, CAST Party
secretary.
During the annual meeting, 12 seminars on Xinjiang
issues, and a fair featuring scientific and technological
cooperation between the Chinese Academy
of Sciences and Xinjiang will also be organized.
The annual meeting will end on next Tuesday.
(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2005)