Wan Gang, deputy director-general of China's Ministry of Science and Technology, delivers a speech at the China Hi-Tech Forum.

On behalf of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology, I would like to extend my greatest welcome to all domestic and overseas guests, visitors and friends.

The world is going through a new wave of technological revolution and industrial restructuring. The layout of the world’s innovation is changing fundamentally. Opportunities and challenges co-exist.

President Xi Jinping has been emphasizing the importance of innovation-driven development and put forward a reform plan on technological funding management by Central government. Premier Li Keqiang also stressed the comprehensive and strategic role of education and technology in social and economic development.

Under the leadership of Party and central government, China has achieved significant progress in technological system reforms. Since last year, the State Council has released a series of documents to deepen the reform of the scientific sector, in order to realize sustainable social and economic development.

Approved by the State Council, the China High-Tech Fair (CHTF) has been successfully held since 1999. CHTF has become the most influential and branded high-tech fair, playing an important role in building China into a genuinely innovative country.

With the theme of “Innovation and Green Growth”, the 16th China High-Tech Fair will display the latest innovations all over the world, bringing technology closer with economic and social development and achieving broader international scientific collaboration.