Popular science was one of the main topics at this year's meeting, to which 108 Chinese academicians, four Nobel Prize winners and about 4,000 domestic and foreign scientists from 25 countries were invited.

"It is the largest-scale meeting in the last 16 years and involved more experts and scientists than in previous years, especially those from foreign countries," said Shen Aimin, director of the association.

Thirty-five Chinese academicians have conducted research this year in Yunnan province to support its clean energy and biotech development as well as environmental protection.

"The biggest gap between Yunnan and other coastal provinces is in technology and talents. The two have hindered our development. Innovation is the driving force, and talents are the support," said Qin Guangrong, a top official of Yunnan province.

The China Association for Science and Technology is the largest national non-governmental organization of scientific and technological workers in China. The organization maintains close ties with millions of scientists, engineers and other people working in the fields of science and technology.

Li Yingqing contributed to this story.