HEFEI, Oct. 18 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has emphasized that science and technology should be at the forefront in advancing Chinese modernization.

Xi made the remarks during his visit to the Hefei Binhu Science City in east China's Anhui Province on Thursday afternoon.

Xi examined an array of major scientific and technological innovations attained by Anhui in recent years and exchanged views with researchers and corporate leaders.

Noting that scientific and technological innovation is an essential path to modernization, Xi said the CPC Central Committee highly regards scientists and technologists and cherishes them immensely.

He encouraged them to take bold steps, continue working hard, and contribute more ingenuity and expertise to achieve self-reliance and strength in science and technology.