The Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) requires its 33 new members to be highly self-disciplined, calling for a calm and modest attitude toward the honor.

The list of the new academicians has been announced, bringing the number of CAE academicians to 721.

The academy asked all the new academicians to honor the grand title by making an objective evaluation of themselves, treating themselves strictly, reducing unnecessary social activity, guarding against excessive consumption and avoiding exaggerated publicity of their academic work.

The CAE also banned them from participating in symposiums on academic evaluation, authentication and consultation that are not related to their research fields.

The new academicians should not act as spokesmen in advertisements, the academy stressed. They should stand against pseudoscience and superstition and be the model of the moral standard in the science research circle.

The average age of the newly elected academicians is 60, with the youngest being 44. Seven academicians are under 50, accounting for 21 percent of the total.

Two academicians were from Hong Kong and one from Taiwan, according to Xu Rigan, CAE's vice president.

In addition, three scientists were elected foreign CAE academicians, two from the United States and one from Norway, making a total number of 34.

A CAE academician title is the highest national academic achievement in engineering and technology and a lifelong honor. New members are added every two years.

(Xinhua News Agency January 1, 2008)