Research Fronts 2019 Release and Seminar [Image: Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences]

China ranks first in 33 of 137 global research fronts, according to the report "Research Fronts 2019" jointly released by the Institutes of Science and Development of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASISD), the National Science Library of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Clarivate Analytics on November 26.

The 2019 report identifies a total of 137 research fronts based on the specific commonalities indicated by clusters of highly cited papers, including 100 hot and 37 emerging specialties spanning 10 broad research areas in sciences and social sciences, and interprets them to reveal the evolution of scientific research and innovation trends, helping researchers, policy makers, and research administrators to determine key scientific areas.

"Strong basic research is the foundation of a technological powerhouse," said Bai Chunli, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The world's major science powers are all strengthening strategic planning in basic research in frontier sciences, which will become the new arena for future technological competition, he added.

"We will need to accurately identify key research fields and trends if we hope to make major original breakthroughs in frontier sciences, solve major science obstacles for national needs, and support our nation’s innovation-driven development."

Among the 10 broad areas, the US leads in seven in research activity and influence, while China leads in three: chemistry and materials sciences, math/computer sciences and engineering, and ecology and environmental sciences.

"These three fields are closely related to the requirements for China’s growth, and the excellence reflects problem-driven innovation in China," said Pan Jiaofeng, CASISD President.

However, China has significantly fallen behind the US in two fields: astronomy and astrophysics. Though ranking second in physics, biology, earth sciences, and social science fields such as economics and psychology, it is separated from the US by a substantial gap, according to the report.

Leng Fuhai, a CASISD professor, said the US is generally very strong and capable across most frontier fields, while China excels in a few areas but has noticeable shortcomings in others.

A second analytical report entitled "2019 Research Fronts: Active Fields, Leading Countries" was also published, examining and comparing national performances across the 137 research fronts. This report reveals that although China, in second place, was closing the gap, the US was still leading global research in 2019. The UK, Germany and France ranked third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Source: Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences