Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji stressed in Beijing on November 1 that it is imperative to speed up the country' s scientific renovation and progress and enhance science and technology.

Zhu, also a standing committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a gathering in Beijing marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Scientific renovation and progress have a direct bearing on the implementation of the strategy of revitalizing the nation through science and technology, the upgrading of the nation's economic qualities, and its economic and scientific competitiveness, Zhu noted.

Chinese top leaders Jiang Zemin, Li Peng and Li Ruihuan contributed inscriptions to the 50th anniversary of CAS.

"Scale new heights in science and technology, make new, fundamental, strategic and forward-looking contributions to our country's economic development, national defense build-up, and social progress," reads the inscription from Jiang, president of China and general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

"Bountiful fruits over the past 50 years, heavy responsibilities in the new century," reads the inscription from Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress.

"Scale new scientific heights and serve the four modernizations, " says the inscription from Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

In his speech at the gathering, Zhu Rongji said that over the past 50 years, scientists at the CAS have followed the path of socialism, actively participated in the nation's construction, and made a large number of scientific achievements at or above the world level.

"They have made outstanding contributions to the development of the country's economy, science and technology, and other causes," the premier noted.

The party and government have been speaking highly of the achievements and contributions made by the country's scientists and technologists, including those of the CAS, Zhu said.

Zhu told the gathering that the CAS made a proposal over a year ago to establish a renovation system, to which the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have attached great importance.

Now, the pilot projects of the system have produced notable fruits, which have demonstrated once again that Chinese scientists and experts have both the courage and ability to make renovations, he said.

To build China into a prosperous, democratic and culturally advanced country in the next 50 years, the Party and the people must work hard and give full play to the vital role of science and technology.

Scientists and technologists shoulder this historic task and heavy responsibility, the premier stressed, expressing the hope that they will rally around the CPC leadership with Jiang Zemin at its core, further carry forward the good traditions of the CAS, and make new contributions to China's prosperity and to world civilization.

Founded on November 1, 1949, the CAS has become China's supreme academic body in science and technology and a national comprehensive research center for the natural and technological sciences with high prestige abroad and strength at home.

Over the past 50 years, scientists and staff at the institution have produced many scientific and technological achievements, 794 of which were awarded national prizes between 1956 and 1998.

At today's gathering, CAS President Lu Yongxiang briefed the participants on the CAS's progress and achievements over the past 50 years.

Before the gathering, Premier Zhu Rongji met with several world- renowned scientists who are here to participate in academic activities. (Xinhua)