China marks centenary of national agricultural association

BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping called on the China Association of Agricultural Science Societies (CAASS) on Tuesday to unite the country's agricultural scientists and technicians to achieve more for national revival.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the statement in a congratulatory letter to the CAASS on its 100th anniversary.

As a time-honored academic mass organization in agriculture, the CAASS has witnessed and promoted China's contemporary sci-tech development in agriculture, Xi said.

Xi hailed the association as an important force in promoting the country's agricultural development after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, especially since the reform and opening up drive initiated about 40 years ago.

China is seeking further development through the rural revitalization strategy, supply-side structural reform, pursuing green agriculture, and implementing targeted poverty reduction measures, all of which present new demands for China's agricultural science, technology and talent, according to Xi.

The president called on the CAASS to carry on its fine traditions, keep up with the times, and play a greater role in China's agricultural development.

Premier Li Keqiang also expressed congratulations in a written instruction.

Li encouraged the association to carry out more extensive exchanges and cooperation with its foreign counterparts, popularize agricultural knowledge and technology, step up development of agricultural think tanks, and train more talent.

Addressing a gathering to mark the CAASS's centenary Tuesday, Vice Premier Wang Yang called on the association to facilitate innovation-driven development, help the CPC and country make scientific decisions, and make efforts to improve public scientific literacy.