The next 20 years are a vital strategic period for China's
development, a period which holds valuable opportunities for the
professional development of Chinese scientists all over the world,
said a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on
Friday.
He
Guoqiang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central
Committee, made the remarks in a meeting with dozens of Chinese
scientists who have come to China to attend a symposium on life
sciences. He called on them to return to serve their motherland and
carry out their own research to contribute to the rejuvenation of
the Chinese nation.
Respect for talent and creativity has become a governmental policy
in China. The Chinese government also encourages Chinese students
to study abroad and to return home, although the decision to return
or remain abroad is theirs.
From 1978 to 2002, a total of 580,000 Chinese pursued their
education in over 100 countries or regions. Of this number, 150,000
have returned home. Statistics show that 81 percent of scientists
with the Chinese
Academy of Sciences (CAS) and 51 percent of the administrators
of China's colleges and universities have the study-abroad
experience.
As
the head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central
Committee, He urged the various governmental departments to work
harder to create a positive work environment and positive
conditions for overseas talents who wish to return to work for
their country.
The departments should focus carefully on human resources, he said,
adding that they should first cultivate and make optimal use of
domestic talents, and then assist the overseas talents who return
home to serve their country.
In
a related development, He paid an inspection visit on Wednesday to
a life science research and development zone in Zhongguancun, known
as "China's Silicon Valley" in a northwestern Beijing suburb.
(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2003)