Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong wants more efforts to be made towards building world-class universities in order to meet the strategic demands of the country's modernization drive.

Efforts should be given to upgrade competitiveness and promote the influence of Chinese universities, Liu said at a conference on Monday.

World-class and high-level universities are symbols of a country's overall national strength, and play a significant role in driving forward a country's development, she said.

To build such universities has an important bearing on the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and the long-term interest of the country's modernization, Liu added.

The official urged universities to set their development goals based on their historic traditions, subjects characteristics and resources. She also wanted them to give priority to the development of key disciplines and train top-notch talents with innovative ideas.

Universities should enhance their capacities in scientific innovation and social services, promote management reform and upgrade international exchange, she stressed.

(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2009)