Homepage

[Research Contribution] China’s Experience in Developing Scientific Journals and Its Implications for Vietnam

23 January, 2026

Keywords: scientific journal, academic publishing, science policy, China, Vietnam

Over the past two decades, China has made remarkable strides in innovation and the production of scientific knowledge. The Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 ranked China 10th in the world, making it the only middle-income economy in the top 30. Recently, a statistical report on the scientific publishing market in China noted that the 20 largest international publishers by output published 83% of all research papers involving China-based authors from 2012 to 2021. Drawing from a study by an author at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), this article analyzes the policies and current state of scientific journal development in China, thereby offering several implications for Vietnam in building and developing its own scientific journals in the time to come.

The Ecosystem of Policies and Operations for Scientific Journals in China

Approaching from a policy and academic governance perspective, the research argues that the development of scientific journals in China is not the result of a single factor but is shaped by the synergistic operation of an ecosystem with closely interconnected components. In this ecosystem, investment policies and research evaluation reforms provide the directional foundation; organizational and management models ensure publishing quality; academic integrity serves as a “normative barrier”; and human resources and international cooperation are the driving forces for internationalization. Based on this framework, the study analyzes each key component of this ecosystem.

Investment Policies and Research Evaluation Reforms

The study shows that the development of scientific journals in China cannot be separated from the state’s long-term investment strategy in science, technology, and innovation. Since the late 1970s, China has continuously increased its spending on research and development (R&D), which now accounts for about 22% of total global R&D expenditure. This resource base has provided a crucial foundation for research activities as well as for the rapid expansion of the scientific publishing system.

In parallel with financial investment, China has implemented numerous reforms to enhance research quality, with a notable shift in evaluation thinking. Instead of prioritizing the number of papers and journal impact factors, new policies emphasize the quality of content and the practical impact of research outcomes. This is seen as a crucial adjustment to reorient the publication behavior of scientists and enhance the substantive value of scientific journals.

Organizational and Management Models for Scientific Journals

Another key aspect highlighted by the study is the stringent management model for scientific journals in China. Accordingly, all journals must be approved and registered by the competent state management authority before they can operate. The licensing process includes a comprehensive evaluation of the host organization, human resources, financial capacity, and academic orientation.

In addition, China promotes the standardization of the publishing process through the application of a rigorous and supervised peer-review system. Inviting experts from the same field to participate in the review process aims to ensure the objectivity, expertise, and reliability of the published papers. Scientific journals are not profit-oriented but focus on the function of knowledge dissemination, which allows the state to selectively provide financial support to promising journals.

Academic Integrity – A Pillar for Maintaining the Reputation of Scientific Journals

The research places special emphasis on the role of academic integrity in China’s scientific publishing system. In recent years, a series of policies and guidelines have been issued to prevent misconduct such as plagiarism, data fabrication, ghostwriting, and manipulation of the peer-review process. The public disclosure of violations, the creation of early-warning lists for unreliable journals, and the application of strict sanctions demonstrate China’s strong efforts to sanitize the research environment. These measures not only protect the reputation of scientific journals but also help to strengthen the trust of the academic community, both domestically and internationally.

Human Resources and International Cooperation

The study indicates that high-quality human resources and international cooperation are important drivers for the development of Chinese scientific journals. Through heavy investment in higher education, a strategy to attract global talent, and the expansion of research collaboration networks with many countries, China has gradually improved its research quality and international integration capacity. Widespread research collaboration has not only increased the quantity and quality of scientific publications but has also enabled Chinese scientific journals to access and approach international publishing standards, thereby enhancing their standing on the global scientific map.

Opportunities and Challenges in the Development of Domestic Scientific Journals in China

Based on an analysis of science and technology policies, the academic publishing system, and international publication data, the study points out that the development of scientific journals in China is facing significant opportunities alongside many structural challenges. This clearly reflects the relationship between its growing research capacity and its ability to transform that knowledge into reputable and internationally influential scientific journals.

First, China possesses uniquely favorable conditions for developing its domestic scientific journal system. The scale and growth rate of its scientific research activities create an abundant supply of papers with improving quality. China’s consistent ranking among the leading nations in international publication output reflects a robust academic foundation capable of nurturing high-caliber scientific journals.

In addition, strong support from national policies on science, technology, and innovation plays a key role. The Chinese state has invested significantly in the research system, encouraging an emphasis on quality over the sheer quantity of publications. Reforms in the research evaluation mechanism, along with a strategy to enhance academic publishing capacity, have opened up numerous opportunities for domestic scientific journals to gradually raise their standards, increase their competitiveness, and expand their influence internationally.

However, the study also highlights significant challenges facing China’s scientific journal system. Despite a rapid increase in research capacity, the majority of papers involving Chinese authors are still published in international journals controlled by foreign publishers. This reflects a clear gap between the nation’s knowledge production capacity and its domestic academic publishing capacity.

Furthermore, many Chinese scientific journals still face limitations in meeting international standards for editorial processes, peer review, and publishing governance. A shortage of personnel with deep expertise in academic publishing, coupled with the pressures of digital transformation and internationalization, has made it difficult for many journals to improve their quality and attractiveness to researchers. If these barriers are not addressed, the domestic scientific journal system will struggle to fully leverage the potential of its rapidly growing research base.

Implications and Recommendations for the Development of Scientific Journals in Vietnam

Drawing from China’s experience in developing its scientific journal system, the research offers several recommendations for Vietnam’s scientific journal environment to enhance the quality, reputation, and international integration of its journals in the time to come.

First, Vietnamese scientific journals need to strategically accelerate their digital transformation, prioritizing the development of stable electronic publishing platforms, expanding cooperation with professional publishing units, and strengthening linkages between journals within the same field. The application of new media forms must be aligned with the core requirements of academic publishing: ensuring the standardization, systematic nature, and intellectual value of scientific content.

Second, the study recommends reforming the research evaluation and academic promotion system to reduce reliance on journal reputation and impact factors, while combining quantitative assessment with expert judgment. This approach will not only help improve the quality of papers but also create a healthier development environment for domestic scientific journals.

Third, to enhance their academic standing, Vietnamese scientific journals need to promote internationalization through clear publication orientations, increased international cooperation, and the encouragement of research with high novelty and applicability. Concurrently, ensuring manuscript quality, standardizing the peer-review and editorial processes, developing a professional editorial team, and establishing strict regulations on academic integrity are considered foundational solutions to help journals build their reputation and achieve sustainable development.

Author: MA. Nguyen Hoang Nam – College of Economics, Law and Government, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Member of the Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Program.

This article is part of the series spreading research and applied knowledge from UEH with the message “Research Contribution For All.” UEH cordially invites readers to look forward to the next UEH Research Insights newsletter.

News, photos: Author, UEH Department of Communications and Partnerships

Chân Trang (1)