Vice President Xi Jinping on Wednesday paid visits to two renowned Chinese scientists respectively, extending Lunar New Year greetings to them.

Famous chemist Xu Guangxian and leading engineer Min Enze, both academicians with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, are also past winners of the country's State Top Scientific and Technological Awards.

Xi expressed his gratitude toward Xu, who devoted himself to boosting the country's rare earth industry, chemical education and scientific research as well as Min's achievements in the petrochemical field.

Xi urged science and technology workers to take note of how the two scientists' patriotic spirit and willpower has helped them achieve new heights in scientific research and "technic innovation."

He urged officials to keep in close contact with experts and scholars to facilitate much-needed assistance to scholars so that scholars will contribute more to the country's socialist construction.