BEIJING - More than 1,420 Chinese scientists have been named academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) since 1955, when the first members of academic divisions were inducted.

They have been trailblazers of scientific development in China, according to a statement by CAS on Monday.

CAS established academic divisions in 1955, and 233 scientists were named members of the divisions. In 1994, the title was changed to academician of the CAS.

The CAS academician title is a top national honor in science and technology, and new academicians are added every two years.

In addition to their achievements in scientific research and technological innovation, academicians have been helpful in providing consultation and evaluation on key issues related to economic and social development.

As of the end of last September, academicians had produced more than 200 consultative reports on fields such as energy strategy, climate change and urbanization, according to the statement.

Currently, the CAS has six academic divisions, including the division of chemistry and the division of information technical sciences.

Fourteen foreign scientists received the CAS academician title in 1994, and the number has since risen to 88, including American physicist David Gross and Japanese chemist Ryoji Noyori, according to the CAS.