BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- A workshop marking the 30th anniversary of the 1978 National Science Congress, a historic event that rehabilitated Chinese intellectuals as a whole and ushered in the country's reform and opening up, was held here on Thursday.

    State Councilor Liu Yandong made a keynote speech at the workshop that was attended by Wan Gang, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and minister of science and technology.

    Liu called for remembering late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping and other reformist forerunners by persisting in ideological emancipation, reform and innovation, and making a new contribution in the advancement of the current efforts to build China into an innovative country.

    The science congress ushered in the ideological emancipation and set the fundamental policy of respecting knowledge and talented people, said the state councilor, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

    She recalled the country's enormous achievements in science and technology, saying they "have become a powerful force behind economic and social development."

    China will further respect talented people, knowledge and innovation, so as to stimulate the activity and enthusiasm of the country's scientists and technicians and to encourage normal citizens to display their innovation and wisdom, the official said.

    Song Jian, a former leader in the country's science and technology circles, was also at the meeting.

    This year, China will hold a series of official programs to mark the 30th anniversary of the launching of reform and opening up.