China will celebrate the 11th International Week of Science and Peace from November 7 to 14 to further promote the public's understanding for sustaining global development in a peaceful climate, the Chinese Association for Science and Technology announced on November 3.

The weeklong festivities will highlight such themes as science, development, friendship and global peace; population, environment, natural resources and sustainable development; teenagers, education and the new century, said Chen Yixiong, secretary-general of the Chinese Committee for the International Week of Science and Peace, during a press conference yesterday in Beijing.

The committee will hold a series of activities throughout China, including science lectures, academic seminars, technology and trade fairs, book fairs, knowledge competitions, art performances, interviews between students and scientists and free medical services, said Chen.

"China will make unremitting efforts to help create a long-term, and peaceful international climate. The country's economic and social progress will never be a threat to the world," said Chen Jifeng, secretary-general of the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament.

China first implemented relevant activities in 1989 in line with the 43rd United Nations Congress in 1988. That year, the congress designated the week of November 11 each year as the International Week of Science and Peace.

During the past decade, China has sponsored various activities based on the theme of peace and development. These activities attracted a total of more than 90 million people during the past 10 years from domestic and overseas governmental institutions, enterprises, educational organizations and scientific research institutes.

The activities have greatly helped promote exchanges and friendship between China and other countries, and have been praised by the United Nations, according to Chen.