China's Strategic Push in Scholarly Publishing
China's higher education and research sectors are witnessing a significant transformation through the Excellence Action Plan for Science and Technology Journals. Phase II of this initiative is accelerating the creation of new high-starting-point journals, many of which are scheduled to launch in 2026. This development reflects broader national priorities in building world-class academic infrastructure and enhancing global influence in scientific communication.
From Phase I Foundations to Phase II Expansion
The Excellence Action Plan originated in 2019 under the leadership of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) alongside the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and Technology, and other key bodies. Phase I focused on elevating existing journals through targeted funding and support. Building on those efforts, Phase II (2024–2028) emphasizes cultivation and the establishment of new titles designed from the outset for international competitiveness.
Selections in late 2024 and 2025 added dozens of new projects. Reports indicate approximately 120 high-starting-point new journals have received funding commitments across the two rounds, with a strong emphasis on English-language publications.
Scale of New Journal Launches in 2026
The high-starting-point new journal category supports freshly established titles with strong potential in emerging or strategically important fields. In the most recent round, 70 projects were selected, bringing the cumulative total under Phase II to a substantial number. Many of these journals are expected to begin publishing volumes in 2026, featuring editorial boards that include leading Chinese academicians and international experts.
Institutions such as Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) have multiple titles advancing, including journals focused on space energy, intelligent computing, and astronautics. Similar selections have been announced by universities including Tsinghua University and Hunan University, covering areas like power systems, transportation engineering, and advanced materials.
Focus Areas and Disciplinary Priorities
New journals span critical domains aligned with national strategies, including dual-carbon goals, artificial intelligence integration, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable energy systems. English-language titles dominate the selections, aiming to attract global submissions and improve citation metrics on the international stage.
Editorial leadership often involves collaboration between university presidents, academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences or Chinese Academy of Engineering, and overseas scholars. This structure is intended to ensure rigorous peer review and broad appeal from the first issues.
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Institutional and Regional Distribution
Selections show concentration among leading research universities and institutes under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education systems. Provinces and municipalities with strong research ecosystems, such as Beijing and Shanghai, feature prominently. This distribution supports the plan's aim to create centers of excellence while fostering wider participation across China's higher education landscape.
Implications for Researchers and Academic Careers
For academics and early-career researchers in China, these new journals represent expanded publishing opportunities aligned with domestic evaluation frameworks. Successful placement in high-starting-point titles could enhance visibility within national assessment systems while contributing to global scholarly discourse.
University administrators are likely to view journal hosting as a strategic asset for institutional reputation and talent attraction. The initiative also includes components for talent cultivation in journal operations, addressing a key capacity gap.
Broader Context in Global Scholarly Publishing
Phase II forms part of China's larger effort to develop an autonomous scholarly publishing ecosystem. Complementary measures include adjustments to article processing charge support for certain international journals and the introduction of alternative evaluation metrics such as the Dongbi Index.
Observers note that these developments could gradually shift submission patterns, particularly for nationally funded research, toward domestically managed platforms. Analyses from publishing industry observers highlight the scale and strategic intent behind the program.
Challenges in Implementation and Research Integrity
While ambitious, the rapid expansion raises questions around editorial capacity, peer review quality, and research integrity at scale. China accounts for a notable share of retractions globally, prompting ongoing attention to standards and oversight mechanisms within the new journals.
Phase II incorporates elements aimed at strengthening operational capabilities and ethical practices, though sustained monitoring will be essential as titles begin publication.
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Outlook for 2026 and Beyond
With numerous launches anticipated this year, the Excellence Action Plan Phase II is positioned to meaningfully expand China's portfolio of English-language STM journals. Success will depend on attracting high-quality submissions, maintaining rigorous standards, and achieving sustainable citation performance over time.
Higher education institutions across China stand to benefit from enhanced publishing infrastructure that supports both domestic priorities and international engagement.