Beijing's President Xi Jinping highlighted efforts to build up China's scientific and technological self-reliance and increase cultural confidence.
On Wednesday, Xi, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, wrote a letter to Nanjing University-based young scholars returning from overseas study.
Xi expressed his hope that the scholars will carry on the glorious tradition of studying hard to serve the country, make new achievements in fostering virtue through education and boosting China's strength in science and technology, and strengthen confidence in Chinese culture and tell well China's stories.
In all respects, Xi urged them to contribute wisdom and strength to build China into a modern socialist country and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
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Nanjing University was developed from the Sanjiang Normal School, which was founded in 1902. Over the past 120 years, the institution has been a witness to the dedication of numerous scholars who returned to the country and the people after overseas study, in particular Li Siguang and Cheng Kaijia.
A total of 120 representatives of young scholars at Nanjing University who returned home from overseas since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012 wrote Xi about their education and research work and their resolve to play their role in building China into a strong nation.
Xi said he is pleased that fruitful results have been achieved by the scholars in their positions. Xi extended regards to scholars, students, and alumni of Nanjing University over the 120th anniversary of its founding.