BEIJING, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Friday called for the better use of overseas-educated talent to help promote reform and development.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks while meeting members of the board of directors of the Western Returned Scholars Association, which was founded in 1913.

The expertise, innovative minds and international vision of overseas-educated scholars are vital for the country's modernization drive, which should be better used, Yu said.

The association should help overseas-educated scholars to contribute their talent. The government will support the association in improving its organization and working capabilities, he said.

President Xi Jinping encouraged overseas-educated scholars to serve as a talent pool at the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the association held in Beijing last year.

The association held its meeting of the seventh board of directors from Thursday to Friday. Chen Zhu, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, was elected chairman of the board.