The Committee on Education, Science, Health and Sport of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee held a seminar on the fundamental research and innovation-driven development strategy in Beijing on Oct 29.

The meeting aimed to set out a clear direction and goal for fundamental research and further strengthen it with persistent efforts. 

Vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee Wan Gang, who is also chairman of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party and the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), spoke at the meeting.

When talking about high-quality development he urged improving abilities in realizing home-grown innovation and making breakthroughs in key core technologies, and called for explorations of innovative paths that suit China's national condition and in particular prioritizing China's original innovation ability to make breakthroughs starting from scratch. The approach would build China into a scientific and technological powerhouse in the world.

To that end, in his speech Wan attached great importance to industrialization of cutting-edge technologies, implementation of the Big Science plan, the scientific spirit, the innovation ecosystem and talent cultivation.

At the meeting, CPPCC National Committee members focused their discussions on reforming the science and technology system, improving the support system for fundamental research, laying a solid foundation for research and giving full play to the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

They also exchanged ideas with officials from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAST and NSFC.