Dutch publisher: China plays a leading role in scientific publication

At the ongoing Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, Arnold Pippel, senior vice president of Elsevier, a Dutch academic publishing company specializing in scientific, technical and medical content, emphasized that China plays a pivotal role in scientific publication and in science, adding that it has taken on a leading role in recent years when measured by scientific output.

Pippel noted that China now ranks first globally in the number of scientific articles published.

"I think it's fair to say that the output is more than the US and Europe combined," he said.

He highlighted that beyond sheer volume, the quality and impact of Chinese research are steadily increasing year by year. This progress, he said, stems from sustained government investment, a strong emphasis on international collaboration, a focus on attracting top talent, and a commitment to advancing cutting-edge technology across disciplines.

Turning to the role of artificial intelligence (AI), Pippel said AI is fundamentally reshaping how scientific discovery works. While it can accelerate research and generate insights, he cautioned that AI cannot generate trust. As such, publishers and researchers must embrace AI responsibly while safeguarding the integrity and credibility of scientific work.

Pippel also praised the Zhongguancun Forum for fostering dialogue across borders and sectors. By bringing together scientists, industry leaders and policymakers, the forum creates opportunities not only to advance policy discussions but also to drive scientific and ultimately human progress.

The forum, running from Wednesday to Sunday in Beijing, is focused on the theme of "Full Integration Between Technological and Industrial Innovation." Since its founding in 2007, the forum has become a major international event for advancing science and technology innovation.