BEIJING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday personally conveyed National Day greetings to elderly scientists who have made prominent contributions to atomic and medical research.

    China's National Day this year will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of modern China.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao(L) talks with Zhu Guangya, a renowned Chinese physicist during his visit to Zhu in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 6, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Photo Gallery>>>

    Premier Wen first visited Zhu Guangya, a nuclear physicist and one of the key scientists engaged in producing the first of China's atomic and hydrogen bombs between the 1950s and 1960s.

    "You have devoted your whole life to the development of the country and service to the people. We will remember you with concern forever," Wen told 85-year-old Zhu.

    "Your loyalty and unselfish dedication to the country and people will encourage younger generations and their descendants forever," Wen told Zhu, a winner of the prestigious Achievement

    Medal for his work on nuclear weaponry and also satellites.

    Wen had worked closely with the scientist for five years when Zhu was president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and China Association for Science and Technology.

    Zhu told Premier Wen that China should take the opportunity provided by the global economic downturn to bring the country on to a track of innovation-oriented development, and also that the government should establish firmer regulations to prevent academic cheating.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao(1st, R) supports He Zehui(C), a renowned Chinese physicist, during his visit to He in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 6, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Photo Gallery>>>

    Upon arrival at He Zehui's home, Premier Wen was delighted to see the 95-year-old physicist had recovered from an illness.

    It was the fifth consecutive visit by Wen to He in the past five years after her husband, physicist Qian Sanqiang, died in 1992.

    Qian and He were described as China's Marie and Pierre Curie by Western media when the former couple jointly discovered a new method of nuclear fission in the 1940s.

    Both Qian and He were engaged in groundbreaking research and development of nuclear energy for military and civic purposes. As a leading nuclear expert Qian also delivered a lecture to Mao Zedong and other senior political leaders.

    "Comrade Qian made a great contribution to China and you are also one of China's most prominent scientists," Wen told He.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao(R) talks with Qian Xuesen, a renowned scientist and founder of China's space technology, during his visit to Qian in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 6, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Photo Gallery>>>

    Wen later visited keystone space scientist Qian Xuesen, 98, one of the founders of China's astronautics science.

    It was the Premier's fourth visit in recent years to the scientist who was father of China's rocket and satellite development. Qian's work has been recognized by a "National Scientist of Outstanding Dedications" award from the central government.

    "You have devoted your whole life to the development of the country's defense technologies, and we are very happy to see you are still energetic," Wen told Qian.

    "We wish you a long life," Wen said.

    "I'm trying to live to be 100-years-old," Qian said.

    The scientist, who studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and returned to China in 1955, called on the government to cultivate technologically-talented people for sustainable development of scientific research and development.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao(1st, L) talks with Wang Daheng, a renowned Chinese optical scientist, during his visit to Wang in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 6, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Photo Gallery>>>

    During Wen's visit to scientist Wang Daheng at the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, the Premier wished the 94-year-old Wang a speedy recovery.

    Wang is the founder of China's optics studies. He has made a great contribution to the research and development of many key optical devices for defense and industrial purposes.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao(R) shakes hands with Hu Yamei, honorary president of the Beijing Children's Hospital, during his visit to Hu in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 6, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Photo Gallery>>>

    The Premier's last stop was a visit to medical scientist Hu Yamei. Hu is a specialist in the treatment of leukemia in children and has saved many patients' lives.

    In 2003 Hu, now 86, proposed establishing a leukemia treatment center in Beijing. Her proposal was approved and adopted by the government and the center is now under construction.

    Hu said she was delighted to hear the center's construction was proceeding quickly and that now afflicted children would have greater opportunities and a better environment for treatment.