Science, technology and education should start off before other businesses in the course of implementing China's strategy of accelerating growth in its western areas, Vice-Premier Li Lanqing said in Beijing Saturday.

The scientific and educational personnel should be provided with improved living standards in the western area so that their work enthusiasm will be brought into fuller play and more talents be introduced into the area, Li said at a panel discussion with members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from the sectors of education, literature and arts.

Meanwhile, in the western area, enhanced efforts should be made to translate technological research findings into commodities so as to accelerate the growth of new and high-tech industries there, Li noted.

Moreover, the vice-premier spoke highly of the members of China's top advisory body for the advices and suggestions they had made on implementing the strategy of invigorating China with science, technology and education, promoting quality education and popularizing the socialist ethical and moral education among the youth.

In another panel discussion with representatives from the circle of writers and performing artists, the vice-premier noted that socialist culture and art constitutes an important integral part of the cause of socialism, and art programs with better quality should be created and cultural exchanges be further increased so as to facilitate the socialist ethical and cultural progress.

The culture and art of ethnic groups should be protected better still, and traditional art forms should be geared to the requirements of modern society, said CPPCC National Committee members.