Core Insights - The report highlights the significant role of AI in transforming research practices and the growing awareness among Chinese researchers regarding the practical application and societal impact of their work [1][3] Group 1: AI in Research - 58% of researchers globally are currently using AI tools in their research, a notable increase from 37% in 2024 [3] - Chinese researchers exhibit a much higher confidence in AI's value in research processes compared to their counterparts in the US and UK, with 68% believing AI tools provide more options [6] - Concerns about the ethicality and reliability of AI tools persist, with only 23% of researchers believing the development process of current AI tools is ethical [6] Group 2: Research Funding and Pressure - Only 45% of researchers feel they have enough time for research, and only 33% expect an increase in research funding in the next two to three years, with North American and European researchers being particularly pessimistic [3] - 68% of respondents feel the pressure to publish has increased compared to two to three years ago, yet 74% maintain that peer-reviewed research is trustworthy [3] Group 3: International Mobility and Collaboration - 29% of researchers are considering moving abroad for work in the next two to three years, but the overall willingness to relocate has decreased since 2022 [7] - 63% of researchers believe that collaboration in their fields has become more frequent, with the Asia-Pacific region showing the most positive sentiment [7] - 44% of Chinese researchers are optimistic about funding growth in their fields, the highest among global respondents [7]

Core Insights - China's scientific research influence is rapidly increasing, reshaping the global scientific landscape, as highlighted by the analysis from Clarivate Analytics based on 25 years of citation data from the Web of Science database [1] - The United States is experiencing a gradual decline in its traditional position as a research powerhouse and collaboration center due to various policies that have negatively impacted its research environment [1] - Over the past decade, China's domestic research output has doubled, making it the largest producer of academic papers globally by 2020, with expectations to lead in citation metrics as well [1] Group 1 - The collaboration between China and Europe in scientific research is strengthening, while the collaboration between China and the U.S. has slowed down since 2019 due to restrictions on academic exchanges and China's focus on enhancing its own research capabilities [2] - The overall global research collaboration is on the rise, with high-impact research increasingly stemming from multilateral cooperation [1][2] - The decline in U.S. research output and citation influence has been ongoing for several years, exacerbated by the pandemic, with a notable decrease in citation impact observed since 2018 [1] Group 2 - Experts suggest that the global research collaboration network is undergoing a restructuring, influenced by the adjustments in U.S.-China relations, with China aiming to build a multipolar scientific system while enhancing its domestic capabilities [2] - The shift in the dynamics of international scientific collaboration may hinder the open exchange of information, particularly if the U.S. imposes further restrictions under the guise of national security and economic competitiveness [2]

Core Viewpoint - The rapid development of China's scientific research capabilities is gaining global attention, with significant increases in international collaboration and publication output, particularly in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative [2][6]. Group 1: International Collaboration and Publication Statistics - From 2021 to 2023, the average number of international co-authored papers was approximately 186,000 for the United States and 143,000 for China, indicating that China's output is approaching that of the U.S. [4][5]. - China has established strong collaborative relationships, ranking in the top 10 for co-authored papers with 81 countries and regions, which is double the number from 2011 to 2013 [6]. - The report highlights that new partners for China include Malaysia and South Africa, primarily from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative [6]. Group 2: Impact and Influence of Chinese Research - China ranks first in the number of "highly cited papers," which are considered influential and of high quality, with 67% of citations coming from within China itself [8]. - The global number of papers peaked at approximately 2.1 million in 2022 but decreased to about 2.01 million in 2023, with international co-authored papers also declining from around 580,000 in 2021 to about 530,000 in 2023 [9]. - The decline in global publication numbers is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, particularly between China and the U.S. [9].