BEIJING - President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed continuing to advance the development of science and technology to a deeper and broader level.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the comments at a symposium attended by scientists in Beijing.

Xi said the scientific and technological development must target the global science frontiers, serve the main economic battlefield, strive to fulfill significant needs of the country and benefit people's lives and health.

Xi chaired the symposium to solicit opinions on China's scientific and technological development for the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).

Highlighting innovation as the "primary driving force," Xi said China needs scientific and technological solutions, more than ever, to boost economic and social development as well as improve people's living standards.

He said Chinese scientists and scientific professionals have the confidence, determination and capability to scale the heights of science.

Xi exchanged ideas with each of the scientists who spoke at the symposium.