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Statute for Membership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

(Adopted by the 6th General Assembly of the Members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1992 and amended by the 7th General Assembly in 1994, the 8th General Assembly in 1996, the 9th General Assembly in 1998, the 10th General Assembly in 2000, the 12th General Assembly in 2004, the 13th General Assembly in 2006, the 14th General Assembly in 2008, the 17th General Assembly in 2014, and the 20th General Assembly in 2021) 

 

Preamble

In 1955, the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) (hereinafter referred to as “the Academic Divisions”) was established upon the approval of the State Council and confirmed its first group of Academic Division Members. In 1992, the Statute for Membership of the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as ‘‘the Statute’’) was formulated for trial implementation. In 1993, the State Council renamed “Member of the Academic Divisions of CAS” as “Member of CAS”. In 1994, the Academic Divisions revised the Statute and the CAS Member system was officially established. By 2014, seven amendments had been made to the Statute. The Statute has been enacted in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the People’s Republic of China, as well as the Statute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Statute is the basis and fundamental reference for the work, rules and regulations of the Academic Divisions.

  

Chapter 1: Membership

Article 1. The Membership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as “Members”) is the highest academic accolade in the field of science and technology and a lifelong title conferred by the State.

Article 2. Standards and requirements for Members

Chinese citizens who abide by the Constitution and laws of the People’s Republic of China, uphold patriotic values, have good moral standing and decent academic integrity, and have made systematic and innovative achievements in the field of science and technology, as well as outstanding contributions to China’s science and technology development or human civilization progress, may be nominated and elected as Members. 

Article 3. Rights and obligations of Members

Rights

(1) Participate in Membership meetings and other academic activities organized by the Academic Divisions;

(2) Participate in consultation and evaluation, and provide advice for the formulation of major national science and technology policies;

(3) Nominate Chinese and foreign candidates for Membership and elect Members and Foreign Members; and

(4) Elect and stand for election to be members of the standing leadership organs of the Academic Divisions. 

Obligations

(1) Promote the research and development of science and technology; 

(2) Promote the development of the scientific and technological workforce; and

(3) Abide by the Statute and relevant codes of conduct, and uphold the reputation and honor of the Members and the Academic Divisions.

Members aged above 80 shall not nominate or elect candidates as new Members or Foreign Members, nor shall they hold positions in the standing leadership organs of the Academic Divisions.

 

Chapter 2: Election and Exit of Members

Article 4. The election of new Members shall be held biennially. The Presidium of the Academic Divisions (hereinafter referred to as “the Presidium”) shall determine the number and allocation of new Members, according to science and technology development trends and disciplinary arrangements.

Elections of Members shall involve a nomination mechanism. Self-recommendation shall not be permitted. Valid candidates for Membership shall be nominated by Members and relevant academic organizations, and then reviewed and approved by the Presidium. The Presidium is permitted to set up a special nomination mechanism to meet the needs of national and disciplinary developments.

The preliminary election shall be organized by the standing committee of each individual academic division and conducted by Members with the voting right of each division. After the evaluation and competitive election of valid candidates for each academic division, a list of preliminary candidates, formal candidates and suggested final candidates shall be produced. The list of preliminary candidates shall be submitted to CAS for approval.

The Presidium shall review and approve the list of final candidates and organize a single-candidate election by all Members with voting rights to elect new Members. The list of the newly elected Members shall be reviewed by CAS and submitted for the record as per in line with the relevant procedures.

Membership election shall follow the principle of impartiality and objectivity, and shall be conducted in a comprehensive and scientific manner. 

Article 5. Members can apply to waive the title of CAS Membership. The application shall become effective upon the approval of the Presidium. Under the Article of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, any Member who acquires the nationality of another country shall be deemed to have automatically waived their title of CAS Membership. 

Any Member, who violates science ethics or commits misconducts that bring the members group into disrepute, shall be admonished by the Academic Divisions. Where the above-mentioned misconducts are serious, the Presidium shall encourage the Member to waive their Membership. Where the above-mentioned misconducts are severe, the Presidium is permitted to rescind the Membership of the offending Member. The decision shall be approved by CAS and subsequently ratified at the General Assembly of CAS Members. CAS is also permitted to advise the Presidium to rescind an offending Member’s CAS Membership.

 

Chapter 3: Foreign Members 

Article 6. Standards and requirements for Foreign Members

CAS is empowered to elect Foreign Members. Scholars and specialists of foreign nationality who hold high international academic standing and have made important contributions to the cause of science and technology in China may be nominated and elected as Foreign Members of CAS (hereinafter referred to as “Foreign Members”). 

A Foreign Member is eligible to become a Member after having obtained Chinese citizenship, been reviewed by the Presidium, been approved by CAS, and been submitted for the record as per in line with the relevant procedures. 

Article 7. Rights of Foreign Members

Foreign Members shall have the right to make suggestions about the development of science and technology in China and the work of the Academic Divisions. Foreign Members shall also have the rights to participate, upon invitation, in the academic activities, consultation and evaluation work organized by the Academic Divisions.

Article 8. Election and exit of Foreign Members

The election of Foreign Members shall be held biennially, in the same period new Members are co-opted. The Presidium shall determine the number of new Foreign Members.  

The candidates for Foreign Membership shall be nominated by Members. Self-recommendations shall not be permitted. The validity of nominated candidates shall be determined by the Presidium following a review and approval process. The Presidium is permitted to set up a special nomination mechanism when necessary. 

During the preliminary election, valid candidates shall be reviewed by Members with voting rights. The formal candidates will then be elected through competitive election by members of the Presidium. 

The Presidium shall organize a single-candidate election, which will require the participation of all Members with voting rights. The list of newly elected Foreign Members shall be reviewed by CAS and submitted for the record as per in line with the relevant procedures. 

Foreign Members can apply to waive the title of Foreign Membership. The application shall become effective upon the approval of the Presidium. Whenever a Foreign Member’s misconduct compromises China’s national interests or brings the Academic Divisions into disrepute, the Presidium is permitted to rescind the Membership of the offending Foreign Member. 

 

Chapter 4: Academic Divisions

Article 9. The Academic Divisions shall serve as the highest science and technology advisory body of China and shall conduct its work under the CAS leadership.

The Academic Divisions consist of several divisions based on scientific disciplines. A Member may join one of the academic divisions according to their specialist research area. 

The Presidium is permitted to make suggestions on the organization and adjustment of  academic divisions. The suggestions, upon the approval of CAS, shall be voted on at the General Assembly. 

Article 10. Functions of the Academic Divisions

(1) As commissioned or suggested by Members, organizes Members to provide advice on major science and technology-related issues in the area of national economic and social development, science and technology development programs, and the development strategies for various disciplines and major decisions in science and technology, and promotes the formulation and implementation of policies and measures for science and technology;

(2) As commissioned, organizes Members to provide evaluation and guidance on academic issues related to major research fields, research planning and research institutions;

(3) Organizes the election of Members and Foreign Members; 

(4) Organizes and conducts academic exchanges and cooperation with academic institutions both at home and abroad, and promotes the development and popularization of science and technology; and 

(5) Organizes and conducts activities related to science ethics and formulation of learning style. 

 

Chapter 5: The General Assembly of CAS Members

Article 11. The General Assembly of CAS Members is the highest organizational form of the Academic Divisions and shall convene biennially. The Presidium shall decide to convene the General Assembly on an ad hoc basis when there is a special need.

Article 12. Functions of the General Assembly 

(1) Studies and implements major national strategies and policies on science and technology development;

(2) Deliberates on the work reports of the standing leadership organs; 

(3) Elects members of the Presidium; 

(4) Formulates and amends the Statute; 

(5) Determines the organization and adjustment of the individual academic divisions; 

(6) Organizes academic activities; and 

(7) Reviews and makes decisions on other major issues. 

 

Chapter 6: Standing Leadership Organ

Article 13. The Presidium is the standing leadership organ when the General Assembly is not in session. It is composed of CAS Members, including the CAS president, vice president in charge of the Academic Divisions, the relevant CAS leader, directors of the standing committees of the individual academic divisions, directors of the ad hoc committees and representatives of Members elected by the General Assembly. The CAS president acts as the executive chairperson of the Presidium and presides over the Presidium.

Top leaders of the relevant academic organizations and government departments shall be invited as advisers to the Presidium. Advisers, upon invitation, shall attend the meetings of the Presidium as non-voting delegates. 

The Presidium shall set up ad hoc committees as needed. Each ad hoc committee shall be composed of members elected by the standing committees of individual academic divisions. A director and several deputy directors shall be elected by each ad hoc committee. 

Article 14. Functions of the Presidium

(1) Convenes and presides over the General Assembly, and deliberates and decides on bills to be submitted to the General Assembly; 

(2) Makes suggestions on the organization and adjustment of the individual academic divisions; 

(3) Reviews and approves the names list of members of the standing committees of the academic divisions and that of members of the ad hoc committees; 

(4) Invites the advisers to the Presidium and appoints the secretary-general of the executive committee; 

(5) Determines the total number and allocations of new members, reviews and approves the names list of valid candidates and that of final candidates; 

(6) Determines the total number of Foreign Members, reviews and approves the names list of valid candidates, and conducts elections to appoint formal candidates;

(7) Examines and approves exit decisions of Members and Foreign Members or makes relevant suggestions, and examines and approves suggestions regarding Foreign Members becoming Members; 

(8) Determines the establishment, adjustment and dissolution of ad hoc committees and working groups;

(9) Formulates or authorizes relevant bodies to formulate regulations regarding the work of the Academic Divisions;

(10) Responds to and manages situations where unusual matters arise, such as a force majeure or serious emergency; and

(11) Performs other functions as entrusted by CAS and the General Assembly. 

Article 15. Executive committee of the Presidium

An executive committee shall be set up under the Presidium to implement the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Presidium. This shall be done to supervise the work of the Academic Divisions on behalf of the Presidium. The executive committee is composed of the executive chairperson of the Presidium, CAS vice president in charge of the Academic Divisions, the relevant CAS leader, directors of the standing committees of the academic divisions and directors of the ad hoc committees. The executive chairperson of the Presidium presides over the meetings of the executive committee. 

The executive committee shall appoint a secretary-general responsible for the routine work of the Academic Divisions. The secretary-general may not necessarily be a Member and shall be nominated by CAS, and then appointed by the Presidium. The secretary-general shall attend the meetings of the Presidium and the executive committee meetings as a non-voting delegate. 

Article 16. Standing committees of academic divisions 

A standing committee for each academic division shall be set up to help Members carry out the functions of the division. Members of each standing committee shall be elected by all Members of the individual academic divisions. A director and several deputy directors shall be elected by the members of the standing committee.

 

Chapter 7: Academic Activities and Support Measures

Article 17. The Academic Divisions shall organize and conduct activities including consultations, evaluations, research on disciplinary strategies, academic exchanges, science popularization, international cooperation, etc.

The Academic Divisions shall manage the compiling and publishing of serial publications, including annual reports of the Academic Divisions, reports of consultations and evaluations, research on disciplinary strategies, writings on scientific culture and science popularization, etc. 

The Academic Divisions are permitted to establish awards in science and technology. 

Activities of the Academic Divisions are mainly funded by government allocations. It is permitted for foundations to be set up for the purpose of receiving donations from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals. 

Article 18. A department shall be set up by CAS to function as the operational body of the Academic Divisions. The department shall be responsible for the work of the Academic Divisions, Members and Foreign Members.

 

Chapter 8: Miscellaneous Provisions

Article 19. The Statute and amendments herein shall become effective after having been reviewed and approved by CAS, and then voted on and adopted by the General Assembly. The right to interpret the Statute shall be vested in the Presidium.

Article 20. Detailed rules and regulations for enforcement and relevant supporting mechanisms may be formulated and amended in accordance with the Statute, and become effective upon ratification by the Presidium or the ad hoc committees as per authorized by the Presidium.