Premier Wen Jiabao said Sunday that China would rely on science and technology to change its growth pattern.

"It (science and technology) is key to China's economic development," Wen made the remarks when asked how China would respond to global scientific innovation expedited by the international financial crisis.

China's economic problem is a structural problem, he said. "Our economy is still unbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable," he told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

The premier said efforts should be focused on achieving a balanced development among primary, secondary and tertiary industries as well as among different regions.

Wen said financial crisis in history always brought about technological revolution. "The key to conquer the global economic crisis lies in people's wisdom and the power of science and technology," he said.

In the latter half of the year, China started to foster new growth areas, especially in emerging strategic industries, said Wen.

Wen did not elaborate on "emerging strategic industries" but said that the country should continue to give full play to its advantage in the manufacturing sector, while strive to develop important areas related to environment and people's living.

Efforts should be made to develop Internet, green economy, low-carbon economy, environment protection technology and biomedicine, he said.