The annual congress of the China Association of Science and Technology (CAST) opened on Saturday in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

This year's meeting, with 6,700 scientific workers from across the country attending, trumpets the theme of scientific concept of development and sustainable use of resources.

While addressing the opening ceremony, State Councilor Chen Zhili urged Chinese scientific workers to be innovative and to expand reform on the institutional system for scientific and technological work.

"It is imperative to push forward the drive of constructing a state innovative mechanism from all fronts, to seize the time in working out measures aimed at encouraging innovation, to introduce the strategies on rejuvenating the nation via science and education and improving the national strength via talents, be firm with promoting scientific and technological progress and innovation and to strive for the establishment of an innovation-oriented state," said Chen.

The state councilor also hoped that the broad masses of the Chinese scientific workers would make greater efforts in publicizing and expanding recycling economy, constructing a society with a saving mindset and advancing a sustainable development.

She also asked Chinese scientific workers to vigorously disseminate scientific knowledge, popularize practical advanced technologies for the benefit of the people.

Chen's remark about innovation was echoed by CAST Chairman Zhou Guangzhao who also emphasized in a separate speech that capabilities of innovation were the core part of the competing power of a nation.

At the opening ceremony, Wang Lequan, secretary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), delivered a welcoming speech and gave an introduction of Xinjiang's main achievements in the past five decades.

Two awards, "Truth-Seeking Outstanding Scientists Award" and "CAST Truth-Seeking Outstanding Youth Award", were also conferred at the opening ceremony, presided by Deng Nan, CAST Party secretary.

During the annual meeting, 12 seminars on Xinjiang issues, and a fair featuring scientific and technological cooperation between the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Xinjiang will also be organized.

The annual meeting will end on next Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2005)