Premier of Government of People Republic : 2021/01/26Premier Li stresses basic skills, craftsmanship

Premier Li Keqiang said that as China becomes a middle-income country, craftsmanship and solid basic skills should be encouraged in all sectors.

Premier Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remark at a symposium on the draft government work report, the draft 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035.

Luo Jun, president of Sun Yat-sen University, said high school students' foundation in mathematics, physics and chemistry should be strengthened. After the reform of the college entrance examination in some regions, some students are not willing to choose physics because it is a difficult subject.

That results in declining attention among students in physics, he said.

Premier Li responded that this issue is really important, as it concerns development and innovation in science and the cultivation of researchers and high-quality talent.

Mathematics, physics, and other basic subjects, Premier Li said, should be highlighted in middle schools and universities to train more innovative talent.

He stressed that innovation is the primary force to drive development and talent is the ultimate source of innovation. He asked related departments to do more to encourage more people to devote themselves to basic research.

Fang Zhong, director of the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, also mentioned 'basic research' in his speech. He suggested that great attention should be paid to young scientists' growth, calling for stable and long-term policies to further support basic research.

Basic research still needs more attention despite the fact that people are increasingly concerned about it, Fang said, stressing the importance of institutional and systematic support for research fellows so they have more time dedicated to studies.

'To encourage more research fellows to concentrate on scientific studies, we must optimize the system and mechanism for research fellows and institutes and carry out policies to reduce their burdens to the largest extent,' Premier Li said.

Tian Qinxin, head of the National Theater of China, said that although the performance industry has been impacted by the epidemic, good works are still welcomed by the audience and tickets sell out fast. Premier Li encouraged her to further practice the basic skills in performances and to create more thought-provoking works.

'I hope you will continue to attract more audiences, and at the same time, work hard on the 'basic skills' in art creation with better content and more cultural inheritance and create greater social benefits,' the Premier said.

Volleyball player Zhu Ting gave her advice on basic skills training. She said many sport players had no formal training in basic skills in their early years, which should be strengthened.

Premier Li urged further strengthening basic skills training for youth, which not only benefits the reserve sports talent, but also has huge significance on the health quality of nationals.

He said every sector has its basic rules. Grasping the basic rules with fine training in basic skills could consolidate a good foundation in this sector and help understand related ones.

No matter whether in science, education, culture or sports sectors, basic skill training is the guarantee for high achievement, Premier Li said.