Chinese President Pays Visits to Senior Scientists

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday paid visits to renowned space scientist Qian Xuesen and mathematician Wu Wenjun. In separate visits, the Chinese president extended festival greetings and showed gratitude for their contributions to the country's scientific cause.


CRI's Zheng Chenguang has the details.


Reporter:

97-year-old Qian Xuesen, founder of the country's space technology, returned to China from overseas study shortly after the New China was founded in 1949.


Hu Jintao said the Chinese people and the Party would never forget the remarkable contribution Qian Xuesen had made to the country's economic and technological development and the national defence industry.


"After you went back to China, as a technical supervisor to China's space, rocket and missile project, you had made remarkable contribution to China's space industry, including the country's first nuclear and hydrogen bombs and manmade satellite. "


The president praised the senior scientist for his efforts in fostering young and smart students, some of whom had become pillars of the country's technological and scientific development.


Hu Jintao also visited Wu Wenjun, renowned Chinese mathematician and winner of the State Scientific and Technological Award.


Hu Jintao stressed the importance of basic sciences such as maths, as it was "a forerunner of technological progress, source of independent innovation and main force in propelling national development". He says China will make efforts to facilitate the development of basic sciences.


"From the perspective of the Party and government, we must firstly attach importance to the strategic significance of basic science studies. Sencondly, we should boost our investment in the field. Thirdly, we should cultivate talents who engaging in basic science studies. And fourthly we should create a sound academic environment for basic science."


The president also encouraged the mathematician to put forward more suggestions over China's technological and scientific development.


Zheng Chenguang, CRI news.