China intensifies crackdown on academic misconduct with new measures and database

China maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward academic misconduct, with a special campaign targeting retracted papers and a crackdown on paper buying and selling launched, the Ministry of Science and Technology said on Tuesday.

Qiu Yong, vice-minister of the ministry, said the ministry has led a special campaign on retracted papers involving academic misconduct, pushed relevant departments to establish regular verification and handling mechanisms for such papers in their systems, and further consolidated the primary responsibility of research institutions.

Authorities have also continued to crack down on violations such as buying and selling papers. Researchers who bought papers, and illegal business entities, websites and online stores that sold them, have been seriously handled in accordance with regulations, with typical cases publicly reported, Qiu said at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office.

A database of serious dishonest acts in research integrity has been established. It supports research integrity reviews in science and technology project approval, selection of academicians, and getting science and technology awards, Qiu said.

The database also allows joint disciplinary punishment for individuals and institutions found to have problems, he added.