BEIJING — President Xi Jinping called on the country’s top medical sciences academy to boost innovation.

President Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Extending greetings to all those that work in the science and technology (S&T) sector for the health field, President Xi hailed the academy’s achievements in the prevention and treatment of major diseases, health-related S&T development and innovation, and its support and training of high-caliber medical talent and research.

President Xi expressed his hope that the academy would strive for excellence and establish itself as a leading base for China’s S&T innovation in the health field.

In a written instruction for the occasion, Premier Li Keqiang praised the academy’s contribution to the nation’s health and development, urging it to incorporate a global perspective to develop and assist outstanding talent in health education, research and practice.

President Xi’s letter and Premier Li’s instruction were delivered by Vice-Premier Liu Yandong on Oct 28 at a meeting to commemorate the anniversary.

Founded in 1956, the academy is a state-level comprehensive research institute and academic center for medical sciences. It has offered significant S&T support for various missions such as the prevention and control of H7N9, H10N8 as well as Ebola in Africa.