Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd R Front) visits an exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 2, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

    BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Premier Wen Jiabao Monday visited an exhibition on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and heard a report on the academy's efforts in independent scientific innovation.

    During his tour, Wen called the academy a "national, strategic power in the field of science and technology" and "China's supreme academic hall for the study of natural sciences."

    The CAS should play a better role as a think tank to help lead the economic and social development of the country, said the premier, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau.`

    The CAS was established in October 1949, together with the founding of New China, or officially known as the People's Republic of China (PRC). Since then, several generations of CAS members have made tremendous achievements, which are presented by the exhibition.

    Viewing the photos on the history of the academy, the premier praised it for its major historic contribution to the development of the country in different periods. The CAS deserves the title as the "national team" that presents the country's highest level in developing science and technology, he said.

    In 1998, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council ordered the academy to take the lead in experimenting with a national innovation program and so far, it has played a leading role in building up the country's innovative system, the premier said retrospectively.

    Wen was accompanied during his visit by State Councilor Liu Yandong, CAS President Lu Yongxiang, who is also a vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC),and Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang, who is also a vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).