Xi urges independent innovation in science, technology  

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the opening ceremony of the 17th Congress of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the 12th Congress of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) in Beijing, capital of China, June 9, 2014. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

President Xi Jinping on Monday stressed that the direction of China's science and technology development is "innovation, innovation and innovation."

Xi made the remarks at the biennial conference of the country's two top think tanks, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE).

Monday's conference was attended by more than 1,300 academicians from the two institutions, which advise the government and industries on key scientific and technological issues.

"We should follow the strategy of innovation as an impetus for development. Independent innovation should be the essence of this strategy and the most urgent thing to do is to eliminate the system and mechanism obstacles so as to free up the huge potentials of science and technology as the primary force of productivity," Xi said.

The president called for a national system for innovation to ensure "the abundant flow of the creative fountain," urging reform in the planning of national innovation strategy and the distribution of science and technology resources.

According to the president, the relationship between government and market should push forward the fusion of science and economy, so that science and technology strength can be transformed into industrial and economic power.

Xi called on the academicians to "unswervingly pursue an independent innovation path with Chinese characteristics ... and speed up the building of China into an innovative country."

Scientists were asked to have a "global perspective" and accurately grasp strategic opportunities in key areas of scientific and technological development.

The President asked scientists to "strive to make important breakthroughs in key technologies, and master crucial technologies into our own hands."

While calling for further reform of China's scientific and technological system, Xi vowed to eradicate ideological and systematic impediments to scientific and technological innovation.