In China's socio-economic development Premier Wen Jiabao said science and technology were playing both the "supporting and leading" roles. 

At the seventh national congress of China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), Wen said scientific development and innovation could solve a number of significant problems hindering China's further development.

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

He identified three goals for China's development of the science and technology sectors: assist meet the country's new five-year plan, win a rightful place for China in the world's science and technology sectors and produce world-class scientists and researchers.

A new professional code was announced yesterday by Zhou Guangzhao, president of the Chinese Association of Science and Technology (CAST), at the organization's ongoing seventh national conference.

The code of conduct for scientists is ready to be issued, together with a system for archiving  records, in a drive to safeguard academic ethics. The code will apply to CAST's more than 4 million members.

Li Yiyi, an academic with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was quoted by the Xinhua News Agency as saying it would, "help scientists whose research is plagiarized to safeguard their interests."

CAST has also outlined a system for keeping checks on academic fraud but the details of this will not be revealed until further discussions have been held, said Zhou.

After the disclosure of several academic scandals in recent months CAST, China's largest science organization, has moved to strengthen discipline in the science community.

The move comes after a professor with Shanghai Jiaotong University was found to have falsely claimed government funds for a fabricated research program about microchips earlier this month.

That scandal followed the sacking of a professor from Tsinghua University who was found to have submitted a job application which was fraudulent.

In March more than 100 social scientists signed a public letter announcing their determination to fight academic fraud.

CAST kicked off its national congress in Beijing on Tuesday with a visit from China's top leaders Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao and Zeng Qinghong.

More than 1,200 delegates from throughout the country are participating in the congress. They will review the work report submitted by the sixth national committee of the association, CAST's own first constitution and advise on building an innovation-intensive economy in China.

Promoting new technologies in rural areas and popularizing science are highlights of the organization's future objectives.

Xu Shanyan, deputy secretary-general of the congress, said CAST would make good use of its widespread grassroots membership to accomplish its goals.

Over the next five years the organization will encourage every province to set up a science and technology museum of its own. It’ll also attempt to lay out a framework for science education for rural people.

Yang Xingfen, a member of the Guangdong Association of Science and Technology, said CAST should attach more importance to popularizing science among officials. He claimed some had "misled the public with their ignorance."

Established in 1958 CAST has a total of 164 nationwide societies attached to it.

(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2006)