The China Fundamental Research Report, published today, offers a deep understanding of how nations worldwide are contributing to scientific progress. The report also represents a milestone in the use of open data sources for large-scale scientometric analyses.
The China Fundamental Research Report analyses science funding, workforce, infrastructure and research outputs. Based on a broad range of data sources, it provides insights for 25 countries and regions over the past four decades.
The report was produced by a research team led by Prof. Lin Zhang at Wuhan University, with support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). Zhang also holds a position as visiting professor at CWTS.
Ludo Waltman, Scientific Director of CWTS, served as co-chair of the International Review Committee for the report. Waltman comments: 'The China Fundamental Research Report does not only provide essential insights into global scientific collaboration; the report itself also serves as an example of the power of international collaboration. The research team in China that produced the report engaged extensively with international colleagues, making use of their input and advice and inviting them to comment on draft versions of the report. I am especially proud to see how the report has benefited from the close collaboration between CWTS and Wuhan University.'
The China Fundamental Research Report relies largely on data from open sources, such as the OpenAlex bibliographic database. The report partly builds on the expertise of CWTS in the use of open data sources for large-scale scientometric analyses. Through the work of the Information & Openness focal area, CWTS has developed an extensive expertise in this area.
Waltman praises the open science approach adopted in the China Fundamental Research Report: 'The use of open data sources at this scale is unprecedented. It represents a milestone in improving the transparency, reproducibility, and inclusiveness of high-level science policy analyses. The report also demonstrates the growing global support for openness of research information, in line with initiatives such as the Barcelona Declaration on Open Research Information.'
Zhang reflects on opportunities for further international collaboration: 'This report is an important step towards a longer-term ambition: building an open and collaborative evidence base to better understand how fundamental research systems develop and contribute to global science. Our close collaboration with CWTS has been invaluable, not only in advancing our use of open research information and new analytical methods, but also in shaping how we approach international research collaboration. We hope this report will be a starting point for an even broader international effort, bringing together researchers and institutions to jointly develop data, methods and new research questions.'
