The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) conferred certificates on Foreign Members newly elected in recent years at a ceremony held on Sunday, June 23, in Beijing, and called for joint endeavors of all Foreign Members to promote S&T innovation in order to address the common challenges facing humanity. 

Nineteen newly elected Foreign Members in the last six years from countries including Australia, France, Russia, the UK, and the USA presented at the ceremony and accepted their certificates. 

CAS elects Foreign Members every two years among 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. 

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Foreign Member system at CAS. It is also the first time in six years that an induction ceremony for Foreign Members has been held on-site. 

The Academy has inducted 191 Foreign Members from 31 countries in the past three decades, each renowned globally for outstanding contributions to his or her respective fields. The group includes 24 Nobel laureates and 13 individuals who are current or former presidents of their national academies of sciences. 

“Foreign Members are an important link between China and the global academic community and are key ambassadors for promoting global S&T exchange and cooperation,” said CAS President HOU Jianguo in his speech at the Foreign Members Induction Ceremony and International Cooperation Symposium. 

The past 30 years have witnessed rapid science and technology development in China, as well as a continuing increase in exchange and cooperation of the country with the rest of the world. 

Science knows no borders and benefits all humanity, and is closely integrated with the global innovation network. 

The world today is confronted with accelerated changes unseen in a century. “Such monumental tasks as achieving sustainable development for human society and coping with various global challenges naturally require that we reinforce international S&T cooperation and work together for solutions”, said President HOU. 

As China’s highest academic institution in natural sciences, the Academy has carried out in-depth pragmatic exchanges and cooperation with international counterparts. 

CAS has been dedicated to tackling major challenges faced by all mankind and has worked with international collaborators to solve a number of important technical problems related to global issues such as climate change, food security, and sustainable development. 

S&T innovation activities continue to break through regional and organizational boundaries. Many of the most cutting-edge and significant scientific problems require advanced S&T infrastructure, first-class talent, and substantial investment. 

This situation calls for deepening S&T cooperation and bringing together the global forces of innovation. “Through this joint effort, we will propel not only S&T progress but also the development of human civilization,” President HOU said. (CAS)