China's State Council, the cabinet, has issued an action plan to improve its citizens' scientific literacy over the 13th five-year-plan period (2016-2020).

"Citizens' scientific quality is the foundation on which to build the strategy of innovation-driven development," said the plan publicized Monday.

The plan said efforts shall be supported by government and revolve around the theme of conserving energy and resources, protecting the ecological environment, safeguarding safety and health, and promoting innovation.

The plan will focus on scientific education and spread of scientific knowledge. It mentioned the urgency of building a comprehensive infrastructure and evaluation system on public scientific literacy.

The plan strives to spread knowledge of high and new technologies, green development and healthy living style among the public, particularly teenagers, farmers, urban workers, officials and civil servants.

The overall aim is to increase the population's scientific literacy from 6.2 percent in 2015 to above 10 percent in 2020.