Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday stressed the importance of more education for government officials at all levels in major political and economic issues facing the country.

Wen made the remark after Qian Zhengying, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, gave a lecture to the State Council Tuesday about sustainable development and the use of water resources in northwest China.

The premier encouraged officials to learn more about issues of great importance in the country's political, economic and culture sectors, in a bid to improve government work.

Officials are expected to pay more attention to the latest developments in science and technology, he added.

Wen vowed that the State Council will continue to hold regular lectures on various topics relevant to administration.

The research on sustainable development and the use of water resources in northwest China has taken some 300 scientists, including 35 academicians, two years to complete.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2003)