(26 Nov 2025) In line with China’s emphasis on research integrity, the Ministry of Science and Technology and relevant departments have launched a special campaign to crack down on misconduct in academic papers, according to an announcement issued Wednesday on the ministry’s official WeChat account.
The campaign primarily targets retracted papers published by Chinese scholars in international journals within the natural sciences. It will conduct rigorous investigations and take appropriate actions against behaviors such as plagiarism, data or image fabrication or falsification, paper trading, and the fabrication of fictitious peer-review experts and review opinions, the announcement said.
The results of these investigations and subsequent actions will be publicized to enhance the deterrent effect and serve as a warning to others. Severe cases will be recorded in the database of scientific research misconduct in accordance with laws and regulations. This database will be referenced in project applications, academician selections, and the awarding of scientific and technological prizes, it said.
The announcement also proposed establishing a long-term governance mechanism to continuously monitor academic misconduct in retracted papers, with the Ministry of Science and Technology taking the lead.
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