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The Chinese Society of Engineers, a new organization linking China with the world in engineering area, was launched in Beijing on Thursday. A launch ceremony was held to mark the event, which was also part of China's celebrations of the second World Engineering Day, on March 4.

The new society aims to help engineering talents to realize their value, promote regional economic development and facilitate international cooperation in engineering. It encompasses 32 national-level academic societies, eight regional engineering societies, 12 universities and 24 State-owned and private enterprises.

Wan Gang, president of the China Association for Science and Technology, said the new organization will contribute "Chinese wisdom" to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Gong Ke, president of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, said China is a major nation in terms of engineering education, research, construction, workforce and cooperation.

"The founding of the CSE will be an important milestone in China's engineering development," he said.

"The CSE will lead Chinese engineers to engage more in engineering work and encourage them to expand exchanges and cooperation with international peers so as to accelerate the country's modernization and tackle the relationship between humans and nature."

China had over 42 million engineers in 2014, accounting for nearly half of its scientific and technological workforce.