BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China's top academic group on Monday published a declaration urging the scientific community to safeguard scientific integrity and forge ahead for international excellence.

The declaration, issued by the Presidium of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), said China still faces severe challenges in its pursuit of world scientific eminence.

According to the presidium, China's scientists lack self-confidence due to the country's failure to nurture a scientific spirit in the past.

The declaration encouraged scientists to wean themselves off the habit of mimicking their Western peers, and instead explore untouched scientific frontiers.

Rampant academic fraud not only damages academic integrity, but also harms China's capacity to innovate, it added.

With government input in science and technology increasing over recent years, some researchers have committed forgery, distortion and plagiarism in exchange for approval of projects, funds and promotion.

A survey conducted among 30,078 respondents in 2009 by the China Association for Science and Technology showed nearly half of science-related workers in China's research institutes, universities, medical institutes and hospitals think academic cheating is "common."

The declaration attributed the prevalence of academic fraud to lax punishments and loopholes in the academic evaluation system.

In China, it is thought that the current academic appraisal system places too much emphasis on quantity of academic papers and awards.

The declaration called for an evaluation system based on quality of research, including it's novelty and applicability.

The declaration also emphasized the principle role of scientists in the evaluation system, avoiding improper intervention from bureaucrats.

The CAS Presidium acts as the leading body of the CAS General Assembly, its highest organ.

It took the CAS over two years' study and deliberations to finally work out the declaration.