President Xi Jinping set out a sweeping vision on Monday to build China into a strong nation in science and technology by 2035, calling for stronger steps to bolster the nation's self-reliance drive while enhancing openness and global cooperation.

In a landmark speech delivered to academicians, researchers and senior officials in Beijing, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed the need for a stronger sense of urgency and greater strides in innovation to "seize the commanding heights in sci-tech competition and future development".

The speech was given at a meeting at the Great Hall of the People that combined the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.