Chinese vice premier urges academicians to play leading role in boosting China's sci-tech strength

China

Chinese vice premier urges academicians to play leading role in boosting China's sci-tech strength

2025-05-30 21:14 Last Updated At：21:37

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang called on the country's top academicians on Friday to play a leading role in boosting self-reliance and strength in science and technology.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks when addressing a symposium on carrying forward the scientific spirit in Beijing.

Ding extended warm congratulations on the 70th anniversary of establishing the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASAD) on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and expressed high tribute and sincere greetings to members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and all scientific and technological workers.

He pointed out that over the past 70 years, the CASAD has united and led Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) academicians to remain true to their original aspirations and missions, courageously take on tough challenges, and make significant contributions to China's scientific and technological development.

Stressing that CASAD and CAS academicians are the main driving force of China's scientific and technological development, Ding urged the academicians to play a leading role in promoting the country's high-level self-reliance, strength in science and technology and in the cause of building China into a scientific and technological powerhouse.

Ding called for efforts to accelerate the breakthrough of key core technologies, build high-level talent teams, carry out more forward-looking, strategic, and fundamental research, carry out high-level international scientific and technological cooperation, and carry forward and promote the spirit of scientists.

All government departments should show care and support to scientific research personnel and jointly create a favorable environment for innovation, Ding added.

The head of the CAS and representatives of CAS members gave speeches at the symposium. Members of the CASAD presidium, representatives from other divisions, and heads of relevant departments attended the symposium.

Established on June 1, 1955, the CASAD serves as an integral part of the CAS and functions as the highest advisory body to the state in science and technology. It is also a crucial think tank for scientific ideas at the national level.

EU, Finnish officials express concerns over US remarks on Greenland

Officials from the European Union (EU) and Finland have voiced concerns after the White House said it has been discussing "a range of options" to acquire Greenland, including the use of the military.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told a press briefing in Cairo on Thursday that the message from the U.S. is "extremely concerning," and "not really helping the stability of the world."

Kallas called on all parties to stick to international law, adding that relevant response measures has been discussed among EU members.

"The international law is very clear, and we have to stick to it. It is clear that it is the only thing that protects smaller countries, and that is why it is in the interest of all of us. And we discussed this today, as well, that we uphold the international law on all levels," she said.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on Thursday described recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump and members of his administration on Greenland as "worrying," while reiterating Finland's support for Denmark and Greenland's right to self-determination.

"Finland and the other Nordic countries have exceptional expertise in Arctic conditions, and we are happy to make use of that together with our North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies to strengthen Arctic security, but it cannot be done by threatening allies," she said at a press conference at Finnish parliament after an extraordinary meeting of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee.

Johannes Koskinen, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said it was "unprecedented" for threats of violence to be made within NATO against another member in connection with seizing territory, adding that such threats run counter to the United Nations Charter and that their inconsistency with international law should be underscored at all levels.