Unlocking Innovation: A Deep Dive into China’s Journey Towards Open Science

Open science is a way to share scientific knowledge freely. This concept is about improving collaboration and sharing information across the globe. It aims to benefit science and humanity as a whole.

According to Yang Wei, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, open science fosters public engagement and enhances knowledge exchange. He believes it plays a critical role in bridging gaps in science, technology, and innovation, ensuring that everyone has access to scientific advancements.

In 2021, UNESCO adopted a recommendation that highlights the significance of open science. This guidance recognizes open science as a powerful means to make scientific research accessible, supporting human rights in access to knowledge.

Yang emphasizes that open science is paving the way for a new research approach. It’s encouraging responsible practices in science and making research more inclusive.

Liu Xiwen, director of the National Science Library in China, notes that open access (OA) is changing how academic papers are shared. Instead of paying high fees to access research, scholars can now enjoy free access to information, making it easier to spread knowledge widely.

China has been active in promoting open science for over 20 years. The number of open access and scientific data papers from Chinese scholars has been steadily increasing.

Thanks to its rich resources and numerous authors, China has great potential in research output. Yang suggests the need to build a science and technology data platform to connect with global initiatives in open science.

According to Peng Bin, general manager of China Science Publishing & Media, the trend toward open publishing in China is undeniable. Most new English-language journals are now adopting the OA model, collaborating with international publishers to broaden their reach.

China is taking significant steps to enhance open science further. This includes developing policies for data sharing and employing technologies like big data and cloud computing to support open access efforts. Collaboration agreements with research funding agencies are also in place to address funding challenges in publishing.

Liu stresses that the essential role of libraries remains unchanged. Libraries should focus on providing knowledge services and ensuring fair access to information.

Building world-class scientific journals and developing internal digital publishing platforms are crucial for China’s future in open science, as highlighted by Peng Bin.