On the 'long march' of science

China has many important scientific achievements to its credit this century. Enviable even by the standards of some established science and technology powers, the achievements demonstrate China's strong scientific and technological strength and potential for development.

China's rise is in contrast to some developed countries' struggle against economic downturn. But, at the same time, it has intensified the clamor of the "China-threat" theory and made some foreign media make groundless speculations. It is imperative, therefore, that China should spare no effort to promote innovations in science and technology to build a strong and resplendent society.

The country had made significant advances in science and technology even in 20 years preceding the reforms and opening-up, but the West did not perceive them to be a "threat" because those were not in cutting-edge areas. As a latecomer to the field of science and technology, China had invested a lot of resources to strengthen its innovation capability, but it was still not seen as a competitor in the world arena.