Premier Wen Jiabao said Saturday China must develop powerful strength in science and technology and foster a large number of talented individuals in order to "gain the upper hand" in international competition.

He made the remarks while addressing a plenary session of the National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) on Saturday.

"China cannot develop without developing science and technology," Wen stressed. "Our future relies on the future of science and technology."

He said China should pool its resources on major science and technology research programs, while making progress in the development of some strategically important new industries.

Meanwhile, China should improve the quality, performance and competitiveness of traditional industries through scientific and technological progress, he said.

He went on to emphasize that as a large nation, China should develop its own basic research and frontier research, adding, "There is no base for the innovation of science and technology, if there is no original innovation in the basic and frontier sectors."

Wen pledged that the government will provide long-term, stable financial assistance for basic and frontier research.

China will set up a number of research centers with multiple tasks, based on high-level national research institutions and research-centered universities, while supporting and fostering a large number of talented people, according to the premier.

China should reform, step by step, the systems of management, decision-making, appraisal, and personnel in the field of science and technology, so as to form a modern system in this sector that fits the country's socialist market economy, the premier said.

Wen said the nation should work hard to create an environment for scientists to become bold and innovative, which also encourages freedom and democracy in academic issues.

He pledged to firmly carry out the national strategy on intellectual rights, by stepping up efforts to protection them, so as to give new vigor to the innovation of the entire nation.

(Xinhua News Agency May 28, 2011)