Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on scientific and technological workers across China to enhance innovation and achieve self-reliance in science and technology at a higher level. 

President Xi made the remarks while visiting an exhibition on China's achievements in sci-tech innovation during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020) in Beijing. 

He hailed the country's rapid development in science and technology and big advancement in innovation capabilities during the period, underscoring a range of major sci-tech breakthroughs. 

China has embarked on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country, he said, stressing that sci-tech innovation plays a crucial role in the overall development of the Communist Party of China and the country. 

Xi encouraged Chinese sci-tech workers to seize innovation opportunities and accelerate the realization of self-reliance in science and technology. He called on them to make new and greater contributions to developing China into a strong nation in science and technology and achieving the goal of national rejuvenation. 

China has vowed to promote innovation-driven development and enhance self-reliance in science and technology in its development blueprint for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) and beyond. 

(Cover: An exhibition on China's achievements in sci-tech innovation during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020) is held at Beijing Exhibition Center, October 23, 2021. /CFP)