The third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee released a communique on Thursday.

It described education, science and technology, and talent function as the basic and strategic underpinnings of Chinese modernization.

"We must fully implement the strategy of invigorating China through science and education, the strategy of developing a quality workforce, and the innovation-driven development strategy, make coordinated efforts to promote integrated reform of institutions and mechanisms pertaining to education, science and technology, and human resources, and improve the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide to make key technological breakthroughs," the communique said, adding that these efforts will help boost the overall performance of China's innovation system.

The communique also said that China will "deepen comprehensive reform in education, deepen structural scientific and technological reform, and deepen institutional reforms for talent development."

In deepening structural scientific and technological reforms, China will strengthen the integration of technological and industrial innovation, said Huai Jinpeng, minister of education.

Huai made the remarks on Friday at a press conference on the guiding principles from the plenum.

Hailing China's remarkable progress in building the world's largest education system, Huai said the country now boasts some 250 million people with higher education backgrounds.

He said that China will accelerate the development of world-class universities and preponderant disciplines and promote the commercialization of scientific research achievements.

The country will advance institutional reforms in talent development, adopt more proactive and open talent policies, and accelerate the building of a contingent of personnel with expertise of strategic importance, he added.

(With input from Xinhua)