Chinese scholars are increasingly citing their own papers, raising concerns about the authenticity of China's scientific prominence. A recent analysis revealed that 62% of citations to China's top-cited papers originate from within the country, contrasting sharply with only 24% for the United States. This trend suggests a potential inflation of China's scientific influence, as the internal citation rate in China is found to be 42% higher than what would be expected based on its publication output [0d5da155].
In 2018, China emerged as the world's leading producer of scientific papers, surpassing the US in volume. By 2022, it also outpaced the US in terms of the number of most-cited papers. However, a 'de-biased' citation analysis indicates that the US still holds the title for the most-cited country from 2000 to 2021, suggesting that while China may lead in quantity, it may not necessarily reflect quality [0d5da155].
This phenomenon of biased citations could prompt a reevaluation of priorities within Chinese leadership regarding scientific research. If the quality of Chinese scientific output lags behind its sheer volume, there may be a strategic shift in focus to enhance the quality of research rather than merely increasing the quantity of publications [0d5da155].
The implications of these findings extend beyond academia, as they touch upon China's broader ambitions in global scientific leadership. As the country seeks to assert itself as a dominant force in science and technology, the integrity of its research practices will be scrutinized both domestically and internationally. The potential for inflated citations could undermine the credibility of Chinese research on the global stage, raising questions about the reliability of its scientific contributions [0d5da155].