The State Council has outlined a proposal to strengthen people’s scientific literacy during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020).

Only some 6.2 percent of Chinese have scientific literacy, lagging far behind developed countries. The proposal maps a new target of achieving a rate of more than 10 percent by 2020.

To achieve this, the proposal firstly urged improving the quality of technology education at all levels to enhance young people’s scientific sense.

It also stressed beefing up scientific information in rural areas and promoting the development of “Internet plus agriculture” to increase scientific literacy for farmers.

In addition, the proposal urges improving the scientific quality of urban workers with a focus on the cultivation of skilled talent, unemployed personnel and migrant workers.

Cadres and civil servants are called on to improve their abilities in scientific governance and better implement the innovation-driven development strategy.

The proposal aims to take on a series of projects including ones in science and technology education, training, information, infrastructure and talents to promote scientific education throughout the country.