China values learning and has started to develop national plans for long-term education reform, a Chinese state councilor says.

State Councilor Liu Yandong told a symposium attended by 15 Chinese scholars from throughout the United States that the plan, which will cover this year through 2020, will emphasize identifying the goals of education and deepening reforms and development.

The medium- to long-term plan, Liu said at the symposium on Monday, will also promote education equality and quality, improve China's education system and provide stronger support for learning.

Liu said that one major aim of her 10-day visit to the United States was to seek advice and opinions on education reform and development from overseas Chinese and various American experts.

Liu said she also came to observe and study the current state of education, science and technology development in the United States.

The scholars offered advice on China's education reforms, the nurturing of qualified teachers and other related topics.

They pledged to use their specialized knowledge to contribute to the drafting of China's education reform and development plan and the cause of China-US friendship.

Liu toured Stanford University, Google Inc. and San Jose State University on Tuesday before ending her visit to the US.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2009)