BEIJING — The Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), one of the country’s top academic institutions, announced on Dec 7 that 70 prominent scientists have been elected as CAE members, including satellite, big data, and next-generation Internet scientists.

The total number of CAE members reached 852 after the addition.

The average age of the newly elected academicians is 56.2, with the eldest being 73 and the youngest 47, according to the CAE.

Of the 70 new CAE members, 67 are men, with 49 from universities and research institutes and 21 from businesses and hospitals.

In a letter addressing the new members, the CAE asked them to be prudent in accepting offers of public titles, and to “politely turn down offers with excessively high or inappropriate material benefits.”

CAE members, called “academicians” in China, hold the highest national academic title in the field of engineering. It is a lifelong honor.

The biennial recruitment of new members began in January.

The CAE adopted an amended charter to cut administrative interference in its operations and correct a profit-chasing tendency in June of last year.

The new charter modified the CAE’s member nomination and exit procedures by depriving governments, universities and enterprises of nomination rights.

Nominating rights are now limited to incumbent members and academic groups.