The Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering expanded their ranks, adding a total of 144 new academicians from China and 51 from abroad, the two academies announced on Friday.

An academician is the highest academic title in China for science and research workers, and the list is updated every two years.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences welcomed 73 new fellows from China this year, including five women, bringing the total number of domestic academicians to 908.

The new members are distributed across various disciplines, including chemistry, earth sciences, information technology, mathematics and physics, as well as life sciences and medicine.

The average age of the new domestic members is 57.2, with the youngest being 44 years old and the oldest 66. Members aged 60 and under account for 67.1 percent of the newly added.

The academy also added 27 foreign members from 15 countries, raising the total number of overseas academicians to 173.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Academy of Engineering inducted 71 new members from China and 24 from overseas, increasing the total to 1,002 academicians from China and 148 from other countries.

The newly elected members include experts leading major projects in national defense and security, and distinguished figures from leading private technology companies such as electric vehicle battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd and EV maker BYD.

Six experts working in remote western regions and eight female scientists were also honored this year.

"This round of academician selections has further optimized the age structure, disciplinary distribution, and regional and sectoral representation of the academician team," the CAE said in a statement.

The academy emphasized its strict adherence to disciplinary standards during the selection process, which included rigorous scrutiny of candidates' academic integrity, ethical conduct, and compliance with regulations.

wangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn