BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for a greater focus on scientific innovation, as well as making it a driving force for China's development.

The nation will be revitalized and become powerful if it has strong scientific power, Xi said while visiting the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Science and technology are a focal point of global competition and all major countries are trying to acquire advanced technology, including that related to national defense, Xi said.

Xi called for scientists to be ambitious and eliminate any obstacles that could thwart scientific development.

Xi visited the Institute of High Energy Physics at CAS, where he learned about the Beijing Electron Position Collider (BEPC), as well as met three scientists who participated in the creation of the facility.

He said CAS houses the best scientists in China and has made numerous scientific achievements.

Xi urged the CAS to continue to carry its spirit forward and build itself into a first-class scientific academy.

While visiting the Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Xi asked scientists to build a strong scientific research platform.

Xi also held a discussion with CAS officials and scientists, as well as delivered a speech, during his visit.

He asked the scientists and officials to support scientific sectors, as these areas will help transform China's economic growth.

He also encouraged them to boldly innovate, calling for science authorities to create an academic environment that is tolerant of failure.

Xi asked them to not only learn from the world's most advanced science, but also to put new ideas forward.

He also asked the scientists to be patriotic and devote themselves to China's national rejuvenation and modernization.