Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong Wednesday stressed the role of science in transforming the nation's economic development pattern.
Liu made the remarks at a biennial conference of China's two leading science and technology organizations, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE).
Liu said scientific and technological development are a way for China to respond to the financial crisis.
She urged the development of new industries and the use of new technologies in traditional industries to improve competitiveness.
Low-carbon technological systems and scientific breakthroughs in health, food safety and medicine are important to people's livelihoods and the nation's sustainable development, she said.
Liu urged the enhancement of Chinese science and technology to catch up with the advanced world through leading-edge scientific and technological research.
She expressed hope academicians from the two academies will play a leading role in the nation's scientific and technological development.
The five-day conference that started Monday is being attended by academicians from the 709-member CAS and the 751-member CAE, the two bodies that advise government and industry on key scientific and technological issues. (Xinhua)
