The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) jointly announced in Beijing on Monday details of their separate biyearly academicians conferences being held this week.

At a news briefing, Shen Baogen, CAS deputy secretary general, said that 490 from a total of 649 CAS academicians were due to take part in the 11th academicians conference, including 56 newly-elected academicians and four foreign CAS academicians.

He said those attending would discuss new frontiers of science and technology, technological innovation and more support for the country's economic development and national security.

Some 64 CAS academicians would give lectures during the five-day meeting from May 28, Shen said.

Bai Yuliang, CAE deputy secretary general, said that 569 out of a total 623 CAE academicians would join the CAE conference, which also runs from May 28 to June 1.

The CAE planned to open its lectures to the public, with a theme of engineering technology in the 21st century, Bai said.

Meanwhile, the CAE intends electing its new leadership, including presidium, president, vice presidents and other senior officials.

The CAE will also bestow grants worth one million yuan (US$ 120,000) on June 1, the Guanghua Achievements Award and the fourth Guanghua Engineering Awards.

(People's Daily May 27, 2002)