Observing the new trend of China's scientific and technological innovation

On November 21st, the results of the 2025 election of new members to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) were announced. 73 individuals were elected as CAS Members, and 71 were elected as CAE Members. The election of new members is not only a conferral of academic honor, but also serves as a "wind vane" for observing China's scientific and technological innovation and talent team development.

Compared to the academicians elected in 2023, the minimum age of the newly elected academicians has reached a new low. Professor Ruochuan Liu from Peking University has become the first "post-80s" academician. Young scientists obtaining the highest academic title at the age when their creativity is most vigorous not only affirms their academic achievements but also stimulates the vitality and creativity of the scientific research team. As the backbone of scientific research on the front line, young scientists have active thinking, broad vision, dare to challenge traditional research paradigms, and are adept at mastering cutting-edge technologies. Their participation will inject vigorous momentum into China's scientific and technological undertakings.

From the perspective of discipline distribution, this round of academician election attaches great importance to emerging and interdisciplinary disciplines. From quantum information physics to robotics, from artificial structural physics to smart medicine, many experts in frontier interdisciplinary fields have been elected as academicians. In today's rapidly changing technological landscape, research in a single discipline is no longer sufficient to solve complex systemic problems, and emerging and interdisciplinary disciplines are becoming the new engines driving technological progress. The inclination towards emerging and interdisciplinary disciplines in the academician election is not only conducive to guiding scientific researchers to gather in frontier interdisciplinary fields, but also encourages them to break through disciplinary barriers and explore new research directions in the intersection.

It is noteworthy that three experts from leading private technology enterprises were elected in this co-election. They hail from BYD Company Limited, CATL New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., and Kingfa Technology Co., Ltd. Enterprises are keen observers of market competition and direct drivers of innovation implementation. Their innovation efforts are directly rooted in industrial needs, and their innovation achievements are directly tested by the market. In strategic emerging industries such as new energy, it is these experts from the front line of the industry who lead their teams to break through key technologies and transform laboratory results into market-competitive products and services. Their joining the ranks of academicians will have a positive impact on the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation.

The recent academician election clearly points to three directions: supporting young scientists to take on major responsibilities, strengthening the layout in frontier interdisciplinary fields, and reinforcing the dominant position of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation. In the context of increasingly fierce international scientific and technological competition, reinforcing these directions not only responds to the urgent need for tackling "bottleneck" technological challenges but also provides solid talent support for the development of new productive forces.

The election of new academicians not only selects academic leaders, but also determines the future direction of China's science and technology. Behind the list of newly elected academicians lies a China that is accelerating towards becoming a technological powerhouse, a China that is more vibrant and creative.