Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has said that the country needs to spend more on the research of basic sciences, which is the source of any technical innovations.

"No applied or developmental research can do without basic research," Wen said in an interview with Bruce Alberts, editor-in-chief of the Science Magazine of the United States on September 30.

Mentioning China's investment in basic research fixed at five percent of total research investment, Alberts inquired whether the ratio was enough.

The Premier said China had continuously increased the level of support to basic research," but I think the ratio is still insufficient."

Wen said basic research served as the wellspring and driving force in development, and he "attached great importance to research in fundamental sciences".

(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2008)