国内英语新闻:Chinese academicians call on scientists to minimize social activities

BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) -- In an effort to safeguard their honor as role models in both academic research and conduct, some Chinese academicians on Monday called on the country's scientists to cut social activities and halt the practice of taking too many part-time jobs.

Chen Yiyu, director of the committee for moral reconstruction under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Academic Divisions, urged academicians to be highly alert against and pay attention to "unhealthy practices" and corrupt behaviors.

In a speech delivered at a plenary meeting of the CAS, Chen voiced firm opposition to the practice of academicians' holding too many posts and accepting inappropriate rewards.

Chen said academicians should not attend thesis defense, appraisal,consultant or award-giving activities which were irrelevant to their research and they should be cautious and objective when giving comments publicly.

CAS academician Zheng Shiling said he also opposed to the practices of academicians' taking too many posts and attending too many social activities, which were time-consuming and would affect their research and teaching.

"We should firmly oppose to the practice of holding posts in areas that have nothing to do with the academicians' research and part-time jobs that reward them improper benefits," said CAS academician Cai Ruixian.

China kicks off a biennial conference of the CAS and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) on Monday. The two institutions are China's two leading science and technology organizations which advise the government and industries on key scientific and technological issues.