Premier Li stresses importance of scientific research

2018-05-30
english.gov.cn

In a report on China’s economic and social development on May 29 at the 19th Meeting of Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the 14th Meeting of Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Premier Li Keqiang stressed efforts to strengthen scientific research for China’s high-quality growth.

The Premier praised the academicians and technology personnel who made contributions to the modernization drive and sci-tech development of the country.

The Chinese economy has seen sustained and sound growth since the beginning of this year, Premier Li said.

Gross domestic products (GDP) have sustained a stable growth rate for 11 quarters, between 6.7 percent and 6.9 percent. Urban employment, corporate profits, and fiscal revenue have shown sound performance, and the number of newly registered enterprises reached 16,700 in the first four months of the year.

Nevertheless, as the largest developing country, China still faces a host of uncertainties and problems to develop its economy, stemming from complicated domestic and external circumstances, the Premier said.

Both confidence and painstaking efforts are needed to push ahead development, the Premier added.

He said human resources are the biggest advantage for the nation’s development, thus more work should be done to promote employment of university graduates, migrant workers, and other key groups.

Meanwhile, more input should be in place to consolidate compulsory education, improve vocational and university education, and encourage life-long learning.

More research fellows, technicians, and industrial workers should be cultivated for high-quality growth, he added.

Basic research, the Premier added, should follow science laws with no short cuts, and increasing input from the government and enterprises could encourage researchers to make innovative breakthroughs.

Premier Li said Internet Plus and mass entrepreneurship and innovation could promote coordination among enterprises, research institutions, universities, and makers.

He also urged deepening administrative reform in the scientific research sector to foster a better ecosystem for innovation.

The government should respect and trust talent, have more tolerance for failure, resolve issues hindering researchers’ work, and significantly raise the standards of national science and technology prizes, said the Premier.

In addition, he also urged effective implementation and improvement in related policies, and asked governments at all levels to continue to solve various problems facing academicians and science and technology personnel.