A total of 62 experts and grassroots talents on Friday concluded a government-sponsored holiday in Beidaihe, a popular northern seaside resort near the Chinese capital.

The experts and talents from 31 provincial-level regions were invited to the routine high-profile holiday program by central authorities as a form of recognition and reward for their work.

They were greeted with handshakes by Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Sunday.

This year's 62 attendees included leading scientists in the field of defense technology, educators, artists, workers, village teachers, rural medical staff, an astronaut and experts from remote and minority-populated areas.

Liu Wulin, who has worked in the forestry industry in Tibet for 30 years, said the high-profile holiday program shows that the central authorities pay great attention to experts working in fundamental fields.

"We will strive to make new achievements with the care of the central government in order to make greater contributions to the country's development," Liu said.

Wang Qinfeng, the 36-year-old son of a farmer who only received a junior high school education, insisted on self-educating for 17 years and realized more than 40 items of mechanical renovation.

He has designed more than 20 specific devices that have attracted both domestic and international attention.

"We are now living in a country that respects knowledge and experts," Wang said. "As long as we persist in working hard, we can achieve success no matter where we are born."

Many experts praised the holiday program for offering them not only a chance to relax but also a platform for them to communicate with others working in a diverse range of fields.

Farmer and inventor Zhao Zhengyi suggested that the country should strengthen virtue education training as well as specific skills in order to help cultivate socialist values and philosophies.

China should also increase investment and support in its western regions to produce more experts on national unity, social stability and border safety, said Gerili, vice principal of Qinghai University, who has worked in plateau medical research for 30 years.

Since 2001, over 600 experts together with their family members have been invited to attend the holiday program that is a gesture of the country's resolution to cultivate talents in many fields.