Xinjiang Urgur Autonomous Region has two academicians now at the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE).

The newly elected academicians are Wu Mingzhu, a melon breeding expert and Liu Shouren, a fine fleece sheep-breeding expert.

Wu is a researcher with the Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences (XAAS). After graduating from university, Wu volunteered to go to Xinjiang. She has been devoting herself to researching melon breeding and has cultivated more than 20 varieties. People call her the "Melon Queen of the West".

Liu has made numerous contributions in fine fleece sheep breeding. His research is of an international standard.

Both Wu and Liu said they will make further efforts to develop Xinjiang amidst the government's drive to "open up" its western regions.