Focus on developing advanced technologies is wise as science and technology are primary productive forces, Liu says, quoting Deng Xiaoping.

    Fossil fuels will be depleted in the near future, but the world will always be reliant on energy, Liu says. It is vital for China to look for new energy sources, such as solar and wind energy.

    Unlike fossil fuels, which are unevenly distributed, the sun and wind energy has been used in many countries. China will offer abundant green energy with new technologies, he says.

    Scientific and technological developments will change attitudes, says Zhang Zheng, principal researcher of Microsoft Research Asia, in Beijing. "The Internet will be as omnipresent as the air, which will definitely change the social relationships of the introverted Chinese people."

    The Internet would also play an important role in online trade and enhance China's democracy, he said.

    Tong Xin, sociologist at Peking University, agrees. "The Internet will be a potential driver of China's democracy reform."

    A growing number of people express their views on the Internet. The National People's Congress and National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference have solicited public opinions through Internet in making decisions since 2002. Premier Wen Jiabao chatted online with members of the public this year to hear their political views and problems.

    Internet reaction had changed the government decision in 2007 on weather to build a paraxylene (PX) plant, which was polluting and potentially dangerous in the coastal city of Xiamen in eastern Fujian Province. The government held hearings after persistent public protests on and off-line and moved the plant to another site.

    "On the way to translate a dream into reality, China should not fear negative aspects, which can lead to social progress and is true for both government and ordinary people," says Wu Yan.

Special Report: 60th Anniversary of Founding of PRC