The Chinese Institute of Engineers, oldest and one of the strongest professional societies in China, has 6,035 members. Fifty years ago, CIE, then known as the Chunghua Engineering-Society, had 149.
The Founder—Dr. Jeme
The rise of the engineering profession in China and the founding of the Institute are connected with the efforts of one man—Dr. Jeme Tien Youe (Chan Tien-yu).
Dr. Jeme was the founder of CIE and the foremost railroad engineer in China. Born in 1861 in Kwangtung Province, he was among the first promising youngsters to be sent to the United States for education under government-sponsored program: He studied in a high school at New Haven, Connecticut, then attended Yale University, receiving a doctorate in civil engineering in 1887.
As an engineer for the Manchu government, he directed construction of the Peiping-Kalgan Railway. Although this was not the longest line built at that time, it is generally conceded to have been one of the most difficult to build. Construction involved cutting through rocky, mountainous terrain in north China. Dr. Jeme was acclaimed at home and abroad. In 1909, he became the first Chinese elected to the American Society of Civil Engineers.
In 1911, Dr. Jeme, then director of the Canton-Hankow Railroad Administration, established the Chunghua Engineering Society, forerunner of the Chinese Institute of Engineers. It was in the same year that the Republic of China born.
Seven years later, in 1918, Chinese engineering students in America set up their own society. As the students returned to China, their society moved its headquarters from New York to Shanghai.
In August of 1931, members of both societies unanimously moved to combine. Membership of the combined group, then formally named the Chinese Institute of Engineers, was 2,169. It had its national headquarters in Nanking.
At its founding, CIE set forth its general objectives in a written constitution. It has never ceased to pursue these goals.
First and foremost, CIE members strive for the advancement of engineering as a science and profession. They work to promote the development of engineering reconstruction projects through the services of all members. Toward this end, CIE conducts conferences to discuss various problems and carries out research in the different branches of engineering.
Specialized Groups
CIE is affiliated with the specialized institutes or societies. Close cooperation is maintained and their annual conventions are held at the same time. These affiliated organizations include those for civil, hydraulic, chemical, electrical, mining and metallurgical, survey, naval architectural and marine, and textile engineers.
Services of CIE have proved invaluable both to young engineers embarking on their careers and to established professionals who may need help in a special project. For the former, CIE has an efficient employment center. For the latter, it maintains a comprehensive library of the latest international periodicals, papers and books on engineering. To provide a voice for members, CIE publishes outstanding writings and discoveries of Chinese engineers.
Modernization of China
The past half century shows ample evidence of substantial contributions made by CIE engineers in national reconstruction and development. CIE has played a major role in the modernization of China and its efforts were of vital importance during the eight-year war with Japan. In 1934 the Institute formulated an industrial development plan for Szechuan province. Ultimately, these suggestions resulted in the transformation of that province into a wartime base for survival and victory.
Other contributions of CIE engineers during the last 50 years include:
—the Yellow River Bridge.
—the 4,592-foot Chientang River Bridge in Chekiang.
—many of the major highways in China, including the 694.6-mile Burma Road and the East-West Cross-Island Highway in Taiwan.
—development of Lienyun Harbor in Kiangsu.
—Chingtung Canal in Shensi province, providing irrigation for 700,000 mou (171,500 acres) of land.
—oil development in Kansu province and the establishment of a refinery in Taiwan producing 30,000 barrels daily.
CIE engineers have been responsible for successful reconstruction work in Taiwan. Following Japan's restoration of the island to China in 1946, CIE members rebuilt war-devastated cities, roads and ports. Industry has become a vital part of island life through their efforts.
An outstanding feature of CIE's conventions and that which brings the work of members most clearly to the public eye is the work of the Committee on Awards. This committee annually surveys the outstanding achievements of members. For those who have contributed the most to their field, CIE awards a medal and a cash prize. The most coveted award is the CIE Engineers Award. Others include recognition of achievements in engineering specialties.
Ling Tse-ping, 62-year-old native of Fukien province, was the recipient of the 1961 Engineers Award. It was the first time the Institute had given its highest honor in three years. Mr. Ling was chosen for his contributions to construction of the East-West Cross-Island Highway in Taiwan.
A graduate of the Mawei Marine Construction Academy, Mr. Ling has been an engineer for more than 42 years. His experience includes such diverse fields as harbor construction and railway engineering. It was in his present capacity as director of the Taiwan Provincial Highway Bureau that Mr. Ling supervised the East- West highway project.
Mr. Ling declined to accept the award as recognition of individual achievement. He said, "The award was given me because I was in charge of the highway project. Hundreds of engineers and thousands of retired servicemen contributed labor towards its completion. My own achievements have been infinitesimal."
Two New Awards
He added, however, that he was "happy to accept the award on behalf of my fellow workers."
CIE also presented two new awards this year: one in mechanical engineering and the other in electrical engineering.
Yen Ching-ling received the award in mechanical engineering. This 55-year-old native of Shanghai is the founder and owner of the Yue Loong Motor Company, the only manufacturer of automobiles in Taiwan. Located in a suburb of Taipei, Yue Loong also manufactures gasoline and diesel trucks, diesel buses, auto parts, gasoline engines and stationary and marine diesel engines.
Often called the "Ford of China" for his pioneering work in the auto field, Mr. Yen believes that the future lies in a motorized and mechanized nation. A graduate of Berlin University in Germany, he has been teaching for many years. The award was presented not only for his work in the auto industry, but also as a culmination of many years of endeavor in mechanical engineering.
The first award in electrical engineering went to Kao Chung-ching, inventor of the Chinese teletype machine. The one-time chief of the radio department of Central News Agency first completed a model of his invention at the International Business Machines Company in the United States. His machine has facilitated the conveying of news in the Chinese language throughout the world.
Golden Jubilee Convention
The Institute celebrated its 50th anniversary with a convention much larger than the annual gatherings. More than 3,000 Chinese engineers attended. In addition, nearly 100 foreign engineers from the United States, France, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan and Korea were present. These visitors represented such well-known names as Mitsubishi of Japan, IBM and Westinghouse of America.
The convention discussed the 50 years of CIE's history, its present status and future expectations. A symposium discussed two topics: how to promote coordination between industrial development and engineering education; and the ways and means of improving the working environment of engineers to facilitate accelerated economic development.
An exhibition at the National Science Hall displayed social contributions by Chinese engineers. Included were charts, diagrams, photographs, models and documents. Among recent inventions, the Chinese-language teletype was shown and demonstrated. There was a four-wheeled vehicle made from two bicycles and a motor. Two adults and up to three children can whiz along at 21 miles an hour on a machine that costs only US$110 and that can be operated for around US$5 a month. Furthermore, the bicycles can be removed for individual use in only a minute or so.
After the convention, delegates were invited to tour Taiwan industrial centers. Foreign visitors saw for themselves the progress of free China and the success of its accelerated economic program. Of eight tours, delegates chose the one of their special interest. Tour No.7, for example, took in Kaohsiung City and vicinity, including the Taiwan Aluminum Corporation, the Nanpu Thermal Power Plant, the Kaohsiung Refinery, No. 60 Arsenal, Formosa Plastics Corporation and Kaohsiung Harbor.
Abel Woman, professor of sanitary engineering at John Hopkins University and official representative of the World Health Organization at the golden jubilee convention, voiced the thoughts of all engineers when he said, "Civilizations have risen and fallen throughout the world largely through the successes or failure of technology and science ... and engineers throughout the centuries have been the major motive force."
The engineers of CIE realized the importance of their work anew when Vice Premier Wang Yun-wu called on them to unite their efforts to implement the government's development plans.
The growth of China's economy owes much to sound engineering, he said. For the future, he added, China has full confidence that CIE and its members will go on to even greater achievements.