Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday urged Chinese scientists to vigorously enhance the nation's capacity for scientific and technological innovation so as to seize the initiative in global competition.

Hu made the remarks during a visit to an exhibition showcasing China's major scientific and technological achievements in the past five years, or the period of the 11th Five-Year Program (2006-2010).

Hu said that "enhancing the country's sci-tech innovative capacity is the key to accomplishing the tasks of the 12th Five-Year program and taking the initiative in global competition."

Hu asked scientists to strengthen scientific research in fundamental, cutting-edge and generic technologies and combine scientific and technological innovation with national economic and social development so as to offer science and technology support for China's building of an innovative country and adjustment to its economic growth mode.

At the exhibition, Hu viewed many top innovations including the world's fastest supercomputer Tianhe-1A , and the re-entry capsule of Shenzhou VII spacecraft, from which Chinese taikonauts carried out the first space walk in 2008.

Top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao, and state and Party leaders Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang also visited the exhibition on the same day.

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2011)