Prof. Han Qide, President of the Seventh National Committee of CAST

The China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) was founded in 1958. Over half a century of development since its founding, CAST has devoted itself to uniting scientific and technological professionals all over the country to dedicate their efforts to the advancement and popularization of science and technology and to the cultivation of scientific and technological talents, and has thus made significant contributions to China's economic and social development.

At present, China finds itself in an important period of development. On the one hand, the country has achieved radical development in economy and all other aspects of social life since it embarked on the road of reform and opening up to the outside world 30 years ago; on the other hand, we are facing challenges of some new problems. To meet these challenges and to achieve the goals of building a well-off society in the all-round way, we must firmly implement the strategy of invigorating the country through science, technology and education and take enhancing the innovation capability and building an innovative country as a strategic task.

As the representative of scientific and technological professionals of China and an important force in propelling the development of science and technology in the country, CAST is fully aware of its glorious and arduous missions. We are going to strengthen our sense of responsibility and work even harder to serve the country's economic and social development, serve the enhancement of the nation's science literacy, serve the needs and interests of scientific and technological professionals and, in the meantime, to intensify the building of our organization.

At present, international cooperation among scientific and technological communities of various countries is developing with an unprecedented magnitude. We will continue to take an active part in it in an even larger scope and to a greater extent, in strengthening our links with international organizations of science and technology and scientific and technological organizations of various countries, and promoting hand in hand with them development of science, technology and culture of the whole humankind, consolidating mutual-understanding and friendship among scientific and technological professionals and peoples of various countries, and dedicating ourselves to creating an even better future for the whole humankind.

Han Qide
President of the China Association for Science and Technology