BEIJING - Premier Wen Jiabao said in a Monday report delivered at a scientific conference that academic freedom and independent thinking should be promoted to spur innovation.

The key to a nation's prosperity is whether the nation can make good use of the enormous creative potential and independent thinking spirit of its people, Wen said in the report.

The government should foster a free academic environment that is free from restraint and encourages invention and innovation, he said.

Wen asked top scientists and engineers attending the conference to find and train more promising young researchers and provide a favorable academic environment to put their talents to good use.

Wen said he expects scientists and engineers to contribute more by using their expertise to advise the government on scientific and technological issues.

The world is undergoing a new round of scientific and technological revolution, Wen said.

He asked the scientists and engineers to take the opportunity to make major achievements and bridge the gap between China and developed countries in terms of economic and sci-tech development.

More than 1,200 scientists and engineers attended the biennial conference of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.