People look on as a robot police dog moves during a police open week event in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Invigorating China through science and education was listed among the 10 major tasks in this year's Government Work Report, reflecting the emphasis Chinese policymakers have attached to the vital area as China climbs up the global technological ladder.

Key tasks were outlined by Chinese Premier Li Qiang in the Government Work Report delivered to the opening of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, on Tuesday.

"We will make holistic and coordinated efforts to strengthen China's education, science and technology, and workforce, integrate planning and policy implementation for innovation, industrial, capital, and talent chains, and deepen comprehensive reforms of education, science and technology, and human resources, so as to create a strong impetus for our modernization drive," read the Government Work Report.

Huang Shouhong, director of the State Council Research Office, explained at a press conference on Tuesday that nine of the 10 tasks outlined in the Government Work Report echoed with those listed in the Central Economic Work Conference, held in December last year and "invigorating China through science and education" is a new addition to the report.

The change reflected policymaker's thinking and factors in the foundation and strategic importance of education, science and technology and the role of talent in the comprehensive construction of a modern socialist country, Huang said.

The wording also reflected the leadership's thinking of an integrated approach to education, science and technology and construction of the talented team in China, according to Huang. 

"The arrangement of tasks highlighted the key foundation role of investing in science and technology and education in invigorating the country, as they will offer pillar support to high quality development and form a vital link in generating new quality productive forces," Sun Chuanwang, a professor at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

More reforms are expected in lifting the quality of educational system and the nurturing of high-tech talents, Sun said.

The topics of bolstering innovation and talent have garnered great attention from delegates to the annual two sessions. 

Zhang Yuzhuo, chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, told the media on the sidelines of the two sessions that innovation should be at the front seat in promoting the development of new quality productive forces.

In the drafted 2024 plan for national economic and social development, released on Tuesday by the National Development and Reform Commission, science and technology innovation was described as the leading and driving force in building a modern industrial system to expedite the forging process of the new quality productive forces.

The draft plan calls for nurturing new emerging and futuristic industries and forging new growth engines in sectors such as bio-manufacturing, commercial aerospace, new materials and low-altitude economy.

Deploying an "AI Plus" initiative, accelerating the innovative development of future energy industry such as hydrogen, and continuously pushing forward the frontline research of cutting-edge technologies such as nuclear fusion technology were also included in the draft plan.

Liu Yonghao, member of the CPPCC National Committee and chairman of New Hope Group, suggested that China cultivate more talent with more incentives and support measures to promote rural revitalization and the building of a robust agricultural industry.

The NPC session and the ongoing annual meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, the top political advisory body, are collectively known as the two sessions, where the lawmakers and political advisers discuss and set social and economic development goals for this year. 

The country aims to create over 12 million new urban jobs in 2024, according to the report.