New regulation aims at stopping academic fraud

Researchers at institutions of higher education who commit "academic misconduct" will receive punishments ranging from notices of criticism circulated on campus to being fired, according to a series of regulations released by the Ministry of Education on Tuesday.

The rules are designed to ensure the healthy development of academia in China, the ministry said.

Under the regulations, universities are to create academic integrity records for research staff members. Academic honesty will be emphasized as an important criterion in the evaluation of staff.