At a symposium held on May 30, Chinese science and technology professionals discussed how to implement the instructions embodied in a letter sent by President Xi Jinping in reply to 25 representatives of the sector's professionals, on the occasion of China's fourth National Science and Technology Workers' Day.

In the letter, Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, encouraged science and technology workers to make greater contribution to building China into a global sci-tech power.

He called on them to carry forward fine traditions, maintain confidence to promote innovation, seek breakthroughs in key and core technologies, and create synergy between enterprises, universities and research institutes.

At the symposium organized by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), Ye Peijian, a researcher at the China Academy of Space Technology and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), emphasized the importance of self-reliance in achieving scientific and technological innovations.

Ye explained that while learning from other countries, Chinese scientists need to remember that China can only develop and master key technologies by relying on its own initiative.

"Past experience has taught us that high-end space technologies cannot be bought from outside," said Ye, who has worked in China's space sector for several decades.

"Science has a powerful force. In an effort to realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, we are confident that through unity and the coordination of the whole of society, China will achieve innovations at a faster speed and scale the heights of science and technology," Ye added.

Breakthroughs cannot be achieved without long-term research. Since the coronavirus broke out in China, Chen Wei, researcher at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, has devoted herself to vaccine development.

Her team's adenovirus vector vaccine is the first COVID-19 vaccine anywhere in the world to enter the second phase of clinical trials.

Based on the contingency scientific research conducted during epidemic, Chen, who is also a CAS academician, proposed various scientific and technological innovations for biosecurity in China.

"Long-term and stable mechanisms need to be established to support programs and teams dedicated to biosecurity research in order to advance breakthroughs in key technologies," Chen explained.

She also proposed enhancing collaboration between enterprises and research institutes, and building interdisciplinary platforms to facilitate the commercialization of R&D results.

Whether breakthroughs can be achieved in core technologies is dependent upon the level of basic research and original innovation.

Xue Qikun, vice president of Tsinghua University and a CAS academician, called for stronger support of innovative basic research conducive to major national needs and capacity-building at this critical time in China's development.

During his closing remarks, Wan Gang, president of the CAST, said that the important letter from General Secretary Xi Jinping has provided guidelines for science, technology and innovation in China, calling for efforts to build the country into a global sci-tech power.

Wan added that all science and technology professionals in China should advance the application of more R&D results to help modernize the country, and develop synergy between industries, universities and research institutes, thus making a greater contribution to high-quality socio-economic development.

Content created in partnership with Science and Technology Daily.

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