Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Sunday in Beijing that China
would borrow more overseas talent for the country's
modernization.
Wen made the remarks while meeting with veteran foreign experts
who have worked in China for many years. On behalf of the Chinese
Communist Party Central Committee and the State Council, Wen sent
his warm greetings to those experts and their families as the
Chinese lunar new year draws near.
"Borrowing talents from the outside is of the same importance as
attracting investment and advanced technologies," Wen said.
China also plans to better its laws and regulations on how to
attract more overseas talents, he said.
"Those outstanding overseas professionals would be granted
honors as well as monetary awards," Wen said.
Wen asked the State Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs to be a
conduit to higher offices in order to relay complaints and advice
from those veteran experts.
Wen thanked the experts for their devotion to the Chinese cause
of revolution and economic construction in the past decades.
He said the Chinese people would always remember their good will
and contributions.
In briefing the experts on the domestic situation, Wen said that
the year of 2003 was extraordinary and significant for China.
The Chinese have succeeded in fighting against SARS
and made new achievements in reform and opening-up, Wen said.
He also said 2004 is vital for China's future development.
"We're faced with many opportunities and favorable conditions as
well as difficulties and new challenges," Wen said.
"We have to keep clear minds in dealing with those problems," he
said.
(People's Daily January 19, 2004)