The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) jointly launched "2004 Science Week" Saturday, to create greater awareness about the importance of science and technology among the public.

Addressing the launching ceremony, State Councilor Chen Zhili called the launching of the "Science Week" an important way to popularize science and technology, which is the common task of the whole society.

In the coming seven days, a series of programs, mainly exhibitions, will be held throughout the country. The week-long program is expected to end on May 21.

The country's first "Science Week" took place in 2001.