Considering innovation as the primary driving force of development, China is taking a firm stand to bridge the gap in technological progress, especially in key and core technologies, from internationally advanced levels.

In the past few years, much has been accomplished toward making China a country of innovators, with progress made in science and technology, including the successful launch of the Tiangong-2 space lab, the commissioning of the deep-sea manned submersible Jiaolong, and the test flight of the airliner C919.

All of these achievements, however, are no excuse for complacency, and China stays sober-minded about its weaknesses.

"The level of technological development, especially in key and core technologies, still has a large gap from internationally advanced levels and is unable to meet the requirements of achieving the two centenary goals," read a document released on Friday after a meeting of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs.