A senior Chinese official has called on the national high-technology research program to turn its focus to resolving energy, resources and environmental problems.

State Councilor Chen Zhili told a rally to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the "863 National High-tech Research and Development Program" that these issues could obstruct China's future development.

The program was launched in November 1986 after four scientists raised the suggestion with the central government in March the same year.

Chen said the 863 program had achieved remarkable progress in grasping core techniques and training innovative personnel, thanks to the participation of research and higher education institutes and thousands of workers.

"The program has made a great contribution to China's economy, social development and national defense, and has become a flagship of China's high-tech development," she said.

Building an innovative country requires the program to make more breakthroughs in high-tech research and improve the capability of constant innovation, said Chen.

The program should let companies play a bigger role and boost industrialization of technologies.

She also called for improved training and enhanced cooperation between military and civil agencies as well as international cooperation.

Source: Xinhua