Among the 58, 9 are academicians from the Division of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, 7 from the Division of Information and Electronic Engineering, 7 from the Division of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, 8 from the Division of Energy and Mining Engineering, 9 from the Division of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering and Architecture, 8 from the Division of Agriculture, Light Industry and Environmental Engineering, 7 from the Division of Medicine and Health Engineering, and 3 from the Division of Engineering Management.

Apart from the above, four foreign academicians were honored by the academy. They are, respectively, from former Yugoslavia, Japan, Russia and the United States.

According to the CAE's Constitution, the election takes place every two years. And, in 2003 it started on January 1 and passed five phases -- nomination, selection, examination, comment and election.

According to Shen Guofang, vice-president of CAE, the number of the CAE's academicians has now reached 663, of whom 36 are women. The average age of the new academicians is 69.6.

The CAE is a national independent organization composed of elected members holding the highest honors in the community of engineering and technological sciences of the nation. Its mission is to initiate and conduct strategic studies, and offer consultancy services for government decision-making in the field of engineering and technological sciences.

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2004)