BEIJING - China's top political advisor on Thursday called for efforts to carry forward the pioneering spirit and down-to-earth work style of the country's "father of space technology", Qian Xuesen.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, made the call at a symposium to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Qian, also known as Tsien Hsue-shen.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang was present at the event.

Qian was considered to have played a key role in China's missile and aviation programs after the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

In 1956, based on Qian's position paper on the country's defense and aviation industry, the government set up an aviation industry committee, which later became the leading organization for China's missile and aviation programs.

Under Qian's guidance, China finished the blueprint on developing jet and rocket technologies. He also played a significant role in developing the country's first artificial satellite.

Qian died in Beijing on October 31, 2009, at the age of 98.