The new academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering pledged to advance scientific innovation and facilitate the transition of scientific results into practical applications at a certificate awarding ceremony in Beijing on Friday.

"This round of academician election emphasized alignment with national strategic needs, adhering to the contemporary requirement of driving the development of new quality productive forces through scientific and technological innovation," Li Xiaohong, president of the CAE, said.

Li congratulated the 71 new CAE members, encouraging them to lead in scientific and technological innovation. He highlighted their crucial role in supporting national strategic research and consultation and urged them to set a fine example in the scientific realm to propel the country toward high-quality scientific self-reliance.

Zhang Pengju, from the Civil, Hydraulic and Architecture Engineering Division, expressed his commitment to using the honor as a new starting point to promote the spirit of scientists, enhance scientific innovation ability, and break through key core technologies.

"I will continue to dedicate myself to transforming cutting-edge engineering science and technology into concrete plans and practical achievements that improve the living environment in grassland regions, promote green urban-rural transformation, and reinforce ecological security barriers," Zhang said.

Lu Zhanyuan from the Agriculture Division said the honor is a commendation for all scientific and technological workers who have taken root in the northern frontier region like him.

"Ensuring food security, promoting green agricultural development, and overcoming the bottlenecks in agricultural development in the farming-pastoral ecotone in northern China are challenges set for us in the new era," Lu said.

"As an agricultural science and technology worker in this ethnic minority region, I deeply feel the weight of this mission on my shoulders and understand the need to be more focused and diligent."

He added that focusing on major tasks such as farmland protection and efficient utilization, agricultural water conservation and efficiency enhancement, as well as seed industry revitalization, they would continue to carry out key technological breakthroughs, accelerate the transformation of research achievements, and cultivate young scientific and technological talents.

Notably, this year's academician election broke with convention by specifically granting researchers from private enterprises three academician positions, highlighting the country's emphasis on fostering cross-sector collaboration to drive innovation and technological advancement.

Huang Xianbo, a member of the Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Division and chief engineer at the global advanced materials supplier Kingfa, said the primary concern for scientific researchers in private enterprises is the transition of technological achievements into productive forces.

"Focusing on national strategic needs, we will strengthen our cooperation with scientists from universities and research institutes to carry out cutting-edge scientific and technological research," Huang said.

He added that the integrated model of scientific and technological research will contribute to building China into a science and technology powerhouse.

Last month, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering announced an expansion of their ranks, adding a total of 144 new academicians from China and 51 from other countries.