Xi stresses advancing basic research to solidify foundation for building China's strength in science, technology

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday urged greater efforts and more concrete measures to strengthen basic research, enhance China's capacity for original innovation, and further solidify the foundation for building the country's strength in science and technology.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while attending a symposium on strengthening basic research in Shanghai.

He stressed that basic research is the origin of the entire scientific system and the master switch for all technological issues.

Xi acknowledged that a new round of sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating, and that global competition in science and technology is increasingly centered on frontier areas of basic research. He noted that the importance of original and disruptive innovation is becoming increasingly prominent.

"We must seize opportunities, rise to challenges, put basic research high on agenda, advance it with sustained commitment, and strive for continuous achievements," he said.

Xi emphasized the need to strengthen overall planning and top-level design to optimize the systematic layout of basic research.

He called for further clarifying the main targets and key areas of basic research, reinforcing the leading roles of national research institutions and high-level research-oriented universities, as well as encouraging and regulating new types of research and development institutions.

Deep integration of industry, academia, research and application, led by enterprises, should be promoted to smooth the innovation chain spanning basic research, application development and commercialization, Xi said.

He called for strengthening the development of basic disciplines and fostering coordinated development between applied and basic disciplines.

Xi noted that it is essential to integrate the development of education, science and technology, and talent, make comprehensive efforts in cultivating, introducing, and utilizing talent, and expand the talent pool for basic research.

He advocated carrying forward the spirit of scientists, promoting science popularization, and stimulating the imagination and curiosity of young people, so that pursuing basic research becomes their lifelong aspiration.

Xi stressed the need to strengthen support for basic research, and called for gradually increasing the share of funds for basic research and establishing a mechanism of diversified inputs.

He also called for a systematic approach to developing major sci-tech infrastructure, the advancement of intelligent research platform systems, and the improvement of a categorized evaluation system tailored to the characteristics of basic research.

Efforts should be made to enhance the working and living conditions of those engaged in basic research, foster an open, inclusive and failure-tolerant innovation environment, and strengthen research integrity, Xi said.

He called for actively integrating into the global innovation network, deepening international exchanges and cooperation in basic research, jointly tackling major scientific issues such as climate change, energy and environment, as well as life and health, and actively participating in global sci-tech governance.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium.

Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese vice premier, presided over the symposium.

Ding called for greater confidence and resolve, as well as more practical measures and actions, to comprehensively strengthen basic research, enhance original innovation capabilities, and strive for a high level of self-reliance and strength in science and technology.

Xi stresses advancing basic research to solidify foundation for building China's strength in science, technology

Xi stresses advancing basic research to solidify foundation for building China's strength in science, technology

Xi stresses advancing basic research to solidify foundation for building China's strength in science, technology

On the U.S.-Iran situation, the priority is to safeguard and implement the memorandum of understanding, maintain the momentum of negotiations, and work for an early comprehensive agreement agreed by both the United States and Iran, accepted by regional countries, and welcomed by the international community, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Beijing, adding the current ceasefire remains fragile, but talking is better than fighting, and dialogue is better than confrontation.

China welcomes the launch of U.S.-Iran negotiations, said Wang, adding China stands ready to work with Saudi Arabia to contribute to easing tensions and lasting peace and stability in the region. China is also willing to support Saudi Arabia in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs, and join hands to uphold the authority of the United Nations and build a more just and equitable global governance system.

On bilateral relations, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Saudi Arabia is an important member of Arab and Islamic countries, and an indispensable important force in the multipolarization of the world.

Wang said China has always regarded Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner that treats each other as equals, respects and trusts each other, and pursues win-win cooperation. The China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership, since its establishment a decade ago, has become a model of win-win cooperation among Global South countries, he added.

China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Saudi Arabia, and give full play to the strategic guiding role of the leaders of both countries in growing China-Saudi relations, said Wang, calling on both sides to make full use of the high-level joint committee, to plan in a coordinated way and advance pragmatic cooperation in all fields.

He went on to say that the two sides should leverage complementary advantages, optimize the trade structure, scale up two-way investment, promote green development, and support each other's modernization.

The Saudi foreign minister said that the Saudi side highly cherishes relations with China and firmly abides by the one-China principle. He said people-to-people and cultural exchanges with China will be strengthened, and that pragmatic cooperation in fields such as investment, finance, energy and artificial intelligence will be deepened.

Saudi Arabia supports the series of major global initiatives proposed by China, and stands ready to engage in close multilateral coordination with China and safeguard the common interests of developing countries, he said.

The Saudi side appreciates the constructive role China has played in promoting the de-escalation of the situation in the Middle East, and looks forward to working with China to bring peace and stability to the region at an early date, he said.

China calls for maintaining momentum of negotiations between U.S., Iran: FM