CPC Central Committee Highlights Role of Science, TechnologyThe Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has called for strenuous efforts to promote science and technological progress and innovation, so as to enhance the overall national strength and carry out the strategy for sustainable development.The call was made by the Proposal for Formulating the 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-2005) for National Economic and Social Development adopted by the recently-concluded Fifth Plenary Session of the 15th Central Committee of the CPC. The proposal sets such goals as strengthening technological innovation, developing high and new technology, and upgrading technological level of industries. Hi-tech research of strategic significance should be conducted energetically and efforts should be concentrated to make breakthroughs in the key fields of information, biology, new materials, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and aviation. The abilities of making independent technological innovations must be improved in the high-tech sectors which are linked to the national economic lifelines and state security. The CPC Central Committee urges to deepen the structural reform of the science and technological sector to build up a new system compatible with the demands of a market economy and the law of the development of science and technology. International exchanges and cooperation in science and technology should be increased, it says. Foreign companies should be encouraged to open research and development institutions in China, while local science and technology firms should be encouraged to conduct research and development overseas to promote share of resources and information. The proposal highlights the importance of professionals, saying that in the final analysis, international competition, now and in the future, is the competition of professionals. The fostering, attracting and utilizing of professionals should be made a strategic task, it stresses. Meanwhile, education is the base for cultivating professionals, it says. China should take the road of reform and innovation in developing its education sector and gear its education to the needs of modernization, the world and the future, it notes. It urges the advancement of quality education advocating the spirit of innovation and practical abilities. The CPC Central Committee urges to continue the policy of encouraging people to study overseas and return to the motherland afterwards at the will of the students. It highlights the importance of fostering talented people who are able to become leaders in various fields. The personnel system should be reformed to create conditions for the growth, selection and appointment of young and excellent leaders, it says. It proposes to continue the strict control of the population; rationally utilize, save and protect resources; and strengthen environmental protection by launching major afforestation projects throughout the country and dealing with environmental problems in urban areas. |
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