BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhuanet) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, or the central Chinese government, issued national awards on Monday to a number of eminent Chinese scientists and research institutions for their tremendous contributions to the development of science and technology in the country.
Top Chinese leaders Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, Zeng Qinghong, HuangJu and Li Changchun attended the awarding ceremony and presented the certificates to the awardees. Premier Wen addressed the conference on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, while Vice-Premier Huang presided over the gathering.
In his speech, Premier Wen said that in the contemporary world, science and technology are the decisive factor for the competitiveness of a country's comprehensive national power whereas self-reliant innovation constitutes the backbone that props up a nation. While introducing and studying advanced technology from the world over, China has to depend on its own innovation, he said.
"There is no way to buy core technology," Wen acknowledged.
The Chinese premier further underscored his viewpoint that China has to rely on science and technology innovation in order to resolve prominent problems in its economic and social development.
Moreover, Wen called for optimizing industrial layout, better using energy and resources, and protecting eco-environment.
Vice-Premier Huang Ju said in his speech, while presiding over the conference, the issuance of awards to scientists and technical personnel with huge contributions gives an eloquent proof of the high importance the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have attached to science and technological undertakings as well as cordial regards they have shown to science and technology personnel in the country.
At the conference, the Chinese government issued 28 second-grade awards for natural science, two first-grade awards for invention, 26 second-grade awards for invention, 16 first-grade prizes for progress in science and technology and 228 second-grade prizes for advancement in science and technology. And five scientists from overseas were granted awards for international cooperation in science and technology. Enditem | 
