SHANGHAI - Chinese President Hu Jintao has called on the nation to be patriotic and learn from the innovative spirit of Qian Xuesen, the late scientist considered the country's "father of space technology."

Hu made the remarks in his instructions on the opening of a library named after Qian at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University on Sunday.

The opening of the library was also part of the commemoration of the centennial birth of the reputed aerospace scientist.

Hu spoke highly of Qian's great contributions for China's economic, scientific and national defense development.

He also urged the Qian Xuesen Library to play a positive role in promoting moral education while popularizing scientific knowledge and cultivating talented people.

Li Changchun, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended the ceremony and unveiled the statue of Qian.

Li urged the library staff members to collect more articles and materials about Qian in order to pass on his invaluable spiritual heritage.

Also known as Tsien Hsue-shen, Qian played a key role in China's missile and aviation programs after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.