Special report: China

By Matin Durrani

Ever since Physics World was launched by the Institute of Physics in 1988, we have sought to report on physics wherever it is going on in the world – first in our print magazine and then here on this website.

But with the huge recent expansion of physics research in China – which has included everything from next-generation telescopes to powerful synchrotron and neutron sources – we have, in turn, massively increased our coverage of the country’s physics.

We’ve now put together a new Physics World special report, which you can view online here, that draws together a selection of our recent news stories, features and careers articles published about physics in China.

Among the highlights is an exclusive interview with the chief scientist of China’s lunar programme and a profile of the Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Beijing.

There’s also an analysis of the massive growth in scientific papers produced by researchers in China, who – at least, according to a recent study by the UK’s Royal Society – now publish more than 10% of the world’s total. Sadly, the rise in quantity has not always been accompanied by a rise in quality, with some unfortunate though high-profile examples of plagiarism.

Several of the articles are based on a week-long trip to Beijing that I went on earlier this year – it was my first visit to China and I found the country a fascinating place. I hope you find this special report equally stimulating and please do let me have your comments by e-mailing pwld@iop.org.

View the special report now!