BEIJING — Vice-Premier Liu He called on the country’s senior scientists to fully recognize the urgency to innovate and break new ground in science and technology on May 31.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when giving a speech to the academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering during an awards ceremony in Beijing.

Innovation was the primary driving force behind development and human resources and talent are the primary resources for innovation, Liu said.

He stressed the importance to improve education of the whole nation, foster more high-quality human resources and lay a solid foundation for future development.

The major direction and fields of innovation must meet the requirement of development and structural demand of the country, said Liu.

He also called for more efforts to create a good environment for innovation in science and technology and enhance the innovation vitality of market players.