China's Push for Self-Reliant Academic Publishing Gains Momentum
China is investing heavily in building a robust domestic scholarly publishing ecosystem, driven by universities, research institutions, and government bodies such as the Ministry of Education and the China Association for Science and Technology. This expansion aims to enhance academic sovereignty, reduce reliance on foreign publishers, and support the nation's growing research output. Universities across the country are playing a central role in this transformation, adapting their research evaluation systems and fostering new journals and platforms.
Policy Foundations and Strategic Investments
The Excellence Action Plan, managed by the China Association for Science and Technology, entered its second phase in 2024 with a commitment of 1.2 billion RMB through 2028. This initiative funds the creation of new high-quality journals, with 50 projects announced in late 2024 and an additional 70 in 2025, totaling 120 new titles. Many of these are English-language publications designed to attract international authors and compete globally. The National Natural Science Foundation of China now requires that at least 20 percent of representative papers from funded projects since 2025 appear in domestic journals. The Chinese Academy of Sciences has also curtailed the use of central funds for article processing charges in certain international outlets, redirecting resources toward local infrastructure.
University Roles in Infrastructure Development
Leading institutions like Tsinghua University and Peking University are at the forefront, developing digital platforms, repositories, and editorial networks. These universities integrate publishing into their research ecosystems, training faculty and graduate students in open science practices and peer review. The Ministry of Education supports these efforts through policies that emphasize quality over quantity in academic evaluations, moving away from over-reliance on metrics like the Science Citation Index. Provincial universities are following suit, establishing regional publishing consortia to share resources and expertise.
Impact on Faculty and Research Evaluation
For academics at Chinese universities, these changes mean revised tenure and promotion criteria that prioritize publications in domestic or high-impact local journals. This shift encourages researchers to contribute to building national capacity while maintaining global competitiveness. Faculty development programs now include workshops on manuscript preparation for new domestic outlets and compliance with open access mandates. The result is a more integrated approach where publishing supports both individual careers and institutional goals.
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Emerging Metrics and Evaluation Frameworks
New tools like the Dongbi Index, launched in 2026, rank over 12,000 journals using sophisticated citation analysis rather than raw counts. This framework helps universities assess research quality more holistically. Combined with national guidelines from the Ministry of Science and Technology, it promotes transparency and reduces incentives for predatory publishing. Universities are adopting these metrics in internal reviews, fostering a culture of rigorous, impactful scholarship.
Open Access and Digital Platforms
China is advancing open access through institutional repositories and diamond open access models supported by libraries and universities. Initiatives encourage data sharing and transparent practices, positioning domestic platforms as viable alternatives to international ones. The Xin Chuang initiative accelerates adoption of locally developed digital tools, ensuring information security and technological independence in scholarly communication.
Challenges and Stakeholder Perspectives
While ambitious, the expansion faces hurdles including building editorial expertise, attracting high-quality submissions, and balancing domestic focus with international collaboration. University administrators highlight the need for sustained funding, while researchers express cautious optimism about improved evaluation fairness. International observers note China's growing influence in shaping global publishing norms.
Case Studies from Key Institutions
Tsinghua University has expanded its publishing programs, launching new titles and enhancing its digital infrastructure. Peking University similarly invests in open science consortia. These examples illustrate how elite universities model best practices for the broader higher education sector, including vocational and applied institutions under Ministry of Education oversight.
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Future Outlook and Implications
Projections suggest continued growth through 2030, with China potentially leading in both output and infrastructure quality. This development could reshape global scholarly communication, offering new opportunities for collaboration while strengthening China's position in science and technology. Universities will remain central, training the next generation of researchers and editors.
Actionable Insights for Academics and Administrators
Faculty should explore submission opportunities with new domestic journals and participate in training on emerging standards. Administrators can prioritize partnerships with platforms like those supported by the China National Publications Import and Export Group to enhance visibility. These steps support both individual advancement and national objectives in higher education.
