Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has pledged to offer an innovative, fair and free academic environment for the growth of Chinese scientists, especially young scientists.

Wen made the remarks in Beijing Friday while meeting with the Chinese and overseas scientists attending the Forum on Science Frontiers and China's Opportunities in the 21st Century.

The forum was hosted by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

The premier urged the NSFC, which has played an important role in promoting research in basic science and frontier science, to enhance international cooperation in science and technology.

The two-day forum concluding on Friday invited lots of world elite scientists and heads of research institutes. They include Chinese-American Nobel laureates Samuel Chao Chung Ting and Tsung-Dao Lee, Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker, chairman of the German Association for Research and Arden Bement, director of the U.S. National Science Foundation.

China set up the National Natural Science Foundation in February 1986.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2006)