China issues tough rules to curb academic fraud

Guidelines call for look at making misconduct by researchers a crime

China will establish a lifelong accountability system to investigate and punish scholars who have committed serious academic fraud, according to new instructions published on Wednesday night.

The system will allow swift and serious investigations of academic fabrication, falsification and plagiarism, even if the offender has moved on to other posts or retired, according to the new rules issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, China's Cabinet.