Developing fully and utilizing the overseas students' talents will be of great importance for China's social and economic development, growth of national strength and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Li said.

He made the remarks during a meeting with representatives of Chinese overseas students returning to attend celebration activities marking the National Day of China.

Li welcomed the students studying overseas home for national day celebrations. He said the overseas students who have either returned home or are stayed abroad have played an active role in their motherland's modernization and reunification as well as international exchanges and cooperation.

Over the past two-plus decades, the Chinese government has adhered to its guideline of supporting students to study overseas, encouraging them to return after completing their studies without any restriction imposed on their entrance and exit, he added. A total of more than 400,000 Chinese students have gone abroad for advanced studies and 140,000 of them have, since their return, made tremendous achievements.

Li noted that rapid growth of national economy, social stability and rapid improvement in the people' life as well as the strategy of enlivening China through the use of science and education and the strategy for talents development have provided a vast room and domain for overseas students to serve their motherland.

Moreover, he expressed the hope that overseas students would use the advanced technology and management expertise they acquired to contribute still more to China's modernization, the great cause of the motherland's reunification, safeguarding the world peace and promoting common development.

Representing overseas students, Wu Shigang, Zhou Shengzong and Guo Shiyu spoke at the meeting.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2002)