The seventh national conference of the near four-million-member
China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) opened in
Beijing on Tuesday with the presence of the country's top leaders
including Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao and Zeng Qinghong.
Over 1,200 delegates attended the opening ceremony held in the
Great Hall of the People Tuesday morning.
They are expected to review the work report submitted by the
sixth national committee of the association, appraise the draft
revision of the CAST constitution and discuss the development of an
innovation intensive economy in China.
When addressing the conference Chinese Vice-President Zeng
Qinghong spoke highly of the CAST and the country's scientific and
technological workers for their contribution in China's reform and
development.?
"You have been playing an important role in combining science
and technology with the country's economic development and
promoting sci-tech knowledge in the nation," he said.
He urged scientists and technologists to continue to generate
more innovative work.
Conference delegates are from various fields of research,
national defense institutes, enterprises and the agriculture
industry. Popular scientists who are devoted to improving
scientific awareness among Chinese people are also in attendance.
.
Established in 1958 the CAST is made up of 164 nationwide
societies and boats a membership of 3.89 million members.
(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2006)
