The Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) is advising candidates for its biennial new member selection to keep away from publicity activities, China Youth Daily reported Monday.
"We don't want to see among new academicians 'social activists'. Players of commercial ads cannot become our new members," said Xu Kuangdi, CAE president, as quoted in the paper.
In the past, some candidates were "over commercialized", according to Xu, such as being given titles or awards by some organizations to gain a higher reputation and more public favor.
"Nominees may not attend any 'publicity shows' held either by organizations or individuals," said Xu.
The academy plans to enroll up to 70 new academicians under the age of 70 in 2003, a more strict recruitment than in the past, said Shen Guofang, CAE vice president.
Those nominees who pass the first round of evaluations will deliver work reports and attend live Q&A sessions in some departments of the academy.
Established in 1994, the CAE has so far selected 611 academicians in five rounds, covering all major branches of engineering.
(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2002)
