Nature Index 2018 China

To become a world-leading scientific nation in every sense, China needs to close the quality gap.

China now publishes more scientific research than the United States, but on measures of quality, including publication of articles in the top-notch journals tracked by the Nature Index, it still falls short, with some notable subject exceptions.

Studies to improve the productivity, resistance and taste of rice crops are central to China’s commanding position in plant biology.

The FAST telescope dish, stretching half a kilometre, will thrust China’s radio astronomers into a role of global leadership.

China’s nanotech industry is forging ahead, with high funding levels, a maturing talent pool, and international experience.

A permissive regulatory climate and a pragmatic approach has seen China’s bioscience sector soar.

The discipline’s historic prominence in China is underpinned by its crucial value to industrial processes. Committed funding sees it leading the way in emerging areas, such as nanomaterials.

Few Chinese researchers are regarded as global leaders, as the pressure for rapid output prevails.

The increasing production of papers and a propensity to cite compatriots makes China likely to win the referencing race.

A description of the terminology and methodology used in this supplement, and a guide to the functionality available free online at nature.com/nature-index/.

Calling talented faculty to the Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen (HITSZ)

In line with the Belt and Road Initiative, Shanghai is broadening its international reach and seeing its research and technologies taken up across the world.