Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called for scientific innovation in the country's surveying and mapping work on Monday.

In a note to the national meeting on surveying and mapping, We said new breakthroughs should be made in how to transmit information swiftly during surveying work.

Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan said at the meeting that surveying and mapping should play a bigger role in helping the government make macro-control decisions in resources exploitation and environmental protection.

China will continue to develop its satellite navigation and positioning system and use the technology to improve city management and enhance the government's capacity to deal with emergencies, said Zeng.

(Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2006)