BEIJING — Academicians at two top science institutions in China have been granted the right to use the special VIP lanes at the country’s border control, said a statement from the State Immigration Administration (SIA) on July 26.

The privilege applies to current and retired academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), as well as their entourages.

The new policy is to demonstrate the country’s respect to those who have made great contributions to China and inspire others to follow their example, said the SIA statement.

China has over 1,000 CAS and CAE academicians, many of whom frequently travel overseas for academic purposes.