Jean-Michel Contant, secretary general of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), announced in Beijing Saturday that Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua, a remote-sensing expert, was elected academician of the international non-governmental academy.

Xu, also academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is among the six Chinese scientists and technologists elected as new IAA academicians. The rest five are Lin Jin and Zhu Yilin, both senior research fellows with China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC), Zhang Qingwei, CASIC general manager, Yu Hefeng, senior research fellow with the Aerospace Medical Engineering Institute, and another CASIC senior research fellow Guo Baozhu, who is a corresponding IAA academician.

Since its founding on August 16, 1960 in Stockholm, Sweden, the IAA has brought together the world's foremost experts in the disciplines of astronautics on a regular basis to recognize the accomplishments of their peers, to explore and discuss cutting-edge issues in space research and technology, and to provide direction and guidance in the non-military uses of space and the ongoing exploration of the solar system.

Till now, the IAA has a total of 1,221 academicians representing 75 countries and regions throughout the world.

At a meeting of Chinese IAA academicians, Contant said that China has achieved greatly in aerospace science and technology since 1985, which help promote Chinese scientists' reputation globally. The IAA now has 48 academicians from China, including five corresponding academicians.

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2005)