Group photo of the newly elected academicians of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nov. 28

Foreign academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) will make unique contributions to the development of China instead of being merely crowned with a title, Xinhua said in an article published on Nov. 30.

Some of the newly elected foreign academicians shared their views with Xinhua during a recent interview.

After fierce competition of 600 candidates, renowned environmental scientist Michael Hoffmann from the US was elected as a new foreign academician of the CAE. “I was nominated by Tsinghua University and screened through many rounds,” he said, adding that it is an honor for him.

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and chairman of TerraPower, was also elected as a foreign academician at the CAE. TerraPower told Xinhua that it is amazing to see the CAE’s recognition of Gates’ achievements in business, science, and technology.

As a matter of fact, Gates has long been engaged in China’s development of science and technology, sharing a close bond with Chinese academia and industries.

He has been to China many times in recent years for the cooperation between TerraPower and related Chinese enterprises. As a nuclear energy development company, TerraPower has established a partnership with China National Nuclear Corporation, in a bid to promote the development of travelling wave reactors.

Hoffmann also made his own contribution to China. Since 2012, he has been an overseas scholar at Tsinghua University. He is also a visiting professor at Dalian University of Technology and a member of the Consultative Committee of South China University of Technology.

Hoffman said that in addition to pushing for science and technology development, the recommendation of new academician candidates is also an obligation of the foreign academicians.

He suggested more Chinese scientists carry out independent and creative studies, instead of pyramiding a research team centered on only a few scientists.

“I will keep promoting the research and development of cutting-edge technologies, and transfer them to Chinese enterprises through license agreement of California Institute of Technology,” Hoffmann said, adding that he will continue his guidance for Chinese students as a visiting scholar at Tsinghua University.