With the theme "Innovation-driven Reform and Opening-up: Technology Fuels Cooperation and Development", the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) opened its 22nd annual meeting in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, on August 14.

Wan Gang, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and president of the CAST, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

Wan pointed out that a new round of scientific, technological and industrial revolution is accelerating its expansion around the globe. After entering a phase of high-quality development, China urgently needs the guidance and support of science and technology.

He urged Chinese scientific and technological workers to take on the strategic and new mission of promoting the country's high-quality development, facilitate efficient synergy between chains of innovations and industrial chains, advance in-depth integration of technologies with the economy, and more proactively join the international innovation network.

About 300 guests, including renowned experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, scientific and technological workers and entrepreneurs who work on the front line of scientific research and innovation, as well as officials from relevant central government agencies, attended the opening ceremony in person.