China primary, secondary schools to beef up science education

China's Ministry of Education has told primary and secondary schools that they must step up science education as the world's second largest economy looks to boost scientific and technological innovation and create new sources of growth.

The guidelines come just days after China issued its first national action plan to build a "strong education nation" by 2035, which it said would help coordinate its education development, improve efficiencies in innovation and build a "strong country".

Issued by China's Education Ministry and reported on Wednesday by state news agency Xinhua, the guidelines said that schools must implement a more comprehensive science curriculum, stronger teaching capabilities and better integrate science education resources.

Each primary school must have at least one science teacher with a master's degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, the ministry said.

Schools must also appoint at least one vice-principal for science, who will be in charge of leading science lectures and developing science courses.

Science education is also to be incorporated into more after school activities to encourage student interest, while schools are expected to provide a platform that encourages young people to study science at university and college.

China's President Xi Jinping said in June last year that China would foster a globally competitive open environment for scientific and technological innovations, and expand international exchanges and cooperation.

Authorities have been trying to nurture new growth drivers, supporting developing sectors and industries including electric vehicles, new materials, commercial spaceflight, quantum technology and life sciences, to offset protracted weakness in China's property industry.