Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua, Chinese Academy of Sciences President Lu Yongxiang and the presidents of Peking, Tsinghua, Nanjing and other Chinese universities have confirmed that they will address the three-day conference which starts on August 30, Shang Yong, director of the conference organizing committee, said yesterday.

Topics such as biotechnology, China's sustainable development and the modernization of agriculture will all be discussed.

Shang said most of those due to speak are leading scientists in their research field in China.

"Many researchers and entrepreneurs do not have a clear idea of what fields they should research or invest in under the current circumstances, so we hope the conference will help them understand better China's scientific development," Shang said.

Zhou Guangzhao, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, has been invited to chair the forum.

(China Daily July 25, 2002)