Vice President Xi Jinping on Sunday urged young people to make greater contributions to build China into a well-off society.

Young people should be innovators and pioneers and strive for significant achievements, said Xi, who spoke in Beijing to a group of young people during a meeting on scientific innovation.

Six representatives of scientific and technological enterprises delivered reports during the meeting, which was presided over by Li Yuanchao, the head of the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Xi, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, extended greetings to the young people after hearing their reports on Sunday, which was China's 59th Youth Day.

Young people are the future of the country and the hope of the nation, he stressed.

History has proved that young people in China are an important force for social progress, he said, adding that Chinese young people have made relentless efforts to fight for national independence and liberation and to strive for the country's prosperity and the public welfare.

Young people, especially those working in the fields of science and technology, should study hard to master advanced technologies in their areas of expertise and strive for scientific breakthroughs, he said.

He also stressed the importance of training innovators, saying that governments at various levels should create favorable conditions for young innovators.

(Xinhua News Agency May 5, 2008)