Retirement becomes possibility under new system

Nine years ago, Qin Boyi, a former academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, retired from the Academy of Military Medical Sciences after a one-year wait.

Qin became the only person to successfully retire from the prestigious academy. There is no retirement system for academicians, who hold their titles for life.

The 81-year-old scholar, a former pharmacologist studying neurological medicines and industrial toxicology, was named an academician in 1994 at 62 and retired in 2002 at 70.

He told China Central Television that his eight-year term at the academy was filled with various tasks that had little to do with academic research.

Qin said he had begun thinking about his retirement at 60, but his plans were delayed due to his gaining the academician title.

After his retirement, Qin traveled to various famous places around the country and wrote two travelogues. He also continued to participate in academic activities by his own choice.