Hotznplotzn

Alarming Statistics: Retractions and China's NSFC Sanctions Rock Chinese Academia

China leads global retractions, with studies showing 40% of biomedical papers tainted by misconduct per surveys. In 2025, NSFC [National Natural Science Foundation of China] disclosed multiple batches: 26 cases in April (plagiarism, data forgery) and 25 in July, affecting top institutions. 96 By early 2026, another 46 sanctions linked to 20 universities emerged.

2023 Hindawi: 8,200+ Chinese-linked retractions out of 9,600 total.
NSFC 2025: 51 sanctions, including 11 proposal plagiarisms.
Medical universities: 14.81% lack public RM [research misconduct] investigation records.

These figures underscore pressure from 'publish or perish' metrics at elite 'Double First-Class' universities, where 15% report incidents.

Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 1d ago

Alarming Statistics: Retractions and China's NSFC Sanctions Rock Chinese Academia

China leads global retractions, with studies showing 40% of biomedical papers tainted by misconduct per surveys. In 2025, NSFC [National Natural Science Foundation of China] disclosed multiple batches: 26 cases in April (plagiarism, data forgery) and 25 in July, affecting top institutions. 96 By early 2026, another 46 sanctions linked to 20 universities emerged.

2023 Hindawi: 8,200+ Chinese-linked retractions out of 9,600 total.
NSFC 2025: 51 sanctions, including 11 proposal plagiarisms.
Medical universities: 14.81% lack public RM [research misconduct] investigation records.

These figures underscore pressure from 'publish or perish' metrics at elite 'Double First-Class' universities, where 15% report incidents.

Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 1d ago

Alarming Statistics: Retractions and China's NSFC Sanctions Rock Chinese Academia

China leads global retractions, with studies showing 40% of biomedical papers tainted by misconduct per surveys. In 2025, NSFC [National Natural Science Foundation of China] disclosed multiple batches: 26 cases in April (plagiarism, data forgery) and 25 in July, affecting top institutions. 96 By early 2026, another 46 sanctions linked to 20 universities emerged.

2023 Hindawi: 8,200+ Chinese-linked retractions out of 9,600 total.
NSFC 2025: 51 sanctions, including 11 proposal plagiarisms.
Medical universities: 14.81% lack public RM [research misconduct] investigation records.

These figures underscore pressure from 'publish or perish' metrics at elite 'Double First-Class' universities, where 15% report incidents.

Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 1d ago

That quote not only goes hard, but is sadly true.

As the article says, it is not true. Although it usually gives "Beijing’s mouthpieces an opportunity to sing the praises of the new mantra of the Chinese Communist Party", the article says, it has been "ridiculed" even within China.

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Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 1d ago

... a more useful study ...

What is a 'more useful study'? The researchers tested a hypothesis, and the result is clear.

There are many other studies. A comparison of how different authoritarian countries approach this issue would also be very interesting, but this is absolutely valued research imo.

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Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 1d ago

I disagree. It just depends what you want to analyze.

This is just another study that proves Chinese censorship regarding LLMs. There's ample evidence.

The US or anyone else may also censor (if the US hasn't done so already, I wouldn't be surprised if they do in the future), but this isn't an excuse for China.

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Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 1d ago

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Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 3d ago

It's somewhat funny that Canada PM Mark Carney brings a burner phone to his recent China visit and then allows Chinese cars in Canada.

Canadian experts note there are security risks,

[...] "[It's] a bad idea to allow Chinese vehicles into the Canadian market," said Brian Kingston, chief executive of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association, during a news conference at the auto show.

Besides being a 'trade irritant' that would hamper the success of domestic-made autos, "there's a range of security and national security related issues," with Chinese autos, said Kingston. "If a social media platform is considered a threat to Canadians, I find it surprising that a connected vehicle is now even allowed in."

Ottawa once shared the same worries about privacy. Back in June 2024, former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland said that cybersecurity was a chief concern as the government weighed 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese EVs to curb the cheap models from flooding the market.

Now, the federal government says the vehicles will have to abide by Canadian security standards to be sold here [...]

Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 3d ago

Yeah, thank god there are other countries than the US and China that aren't governed by dictatorial regimes. We don't need to fund Washington nor Beijing.

Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 3d ago

The Chinese envoy to the UN echoes his government's stance. What a surprise.

Beijing warfare against Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, India, and all the others would amount to aggression against Taipei, Tokyo, Manila, New Delhi, and all the other capitals.

Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 7d ago

Good question. I wrote in another thread already that African countries are delivering mostly commodities while importing high-end products, and Africa has been facing a growing trade deficit with China over recent years. Africa's dependence on China is growing as this kind of trade policy is a big obstacle to develop African industries and manufacturing capabilities.

It is also noteworthy that China uses this leverage for political purposes. For example, all African countries support China's aggression against Taiwan and what Beijing "reunification" (which is false, as Taiwan was never part of mainland China). The only exemption here is Eswatini, a small country in the South of the African continent that maintains an embassy in Taipei, and Taiwan maintains an embassy in Eswatini's capital Mbabane.

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Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 7d ago

This is not a 'trend' but a controlled influence campaign by the Chinese party-state.

"As a Chinese person who has been online throughout years and years of heavy Sinophobia, it felt refreshing to have the mainstream opinion finally shift regarding China," Claire, a Chinese-Canadian TikTok user, tells BBC Chinese.

There has been no "heavy sinophobia" but reports that were and still are critical about the Chinese government. Nor does the mainstream opinion now shift as people are still if not even more aware of Beijing's atrocities. This is just an influencer saying something like that for money, and I would like to know who pays her.

The article itself says later:

[Chinese state media and the government] have sought to portray the US as a decaying superpower because of inequality, a weak social safety net and a broken healthcare system. According to a commentary in state-owned Xinhua, the "kill line" meme "underscores how far the lived reality can drift from the ideals once broadcast to the world".

And:

It's little wonder that Chinese authorities are pleased with Chinamaxxing [...] Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said [...] he was "happy" to see foreigners experiencing the "everyday life of ordinary Chinese people".

Sure, they are pleased. They control the entire campaign on social media.

As the article says at the end:

It's hard to know what Chinese people make of so many things because all public conversation and activity is heavily policed. Criticising the government is risky and protests are quickly quashed.

Tere is a lot the memes making it to the West don't show. China's youth are facing an unemployment rate that sits at more than 15% and burning out from a gruelling work culture, yet sharing too much of their pessimism online could alert internet censors. They are worried about finding a home as the country's property crisis continues, and dating is no easier than anywhere else.

Yes, and there is a lot more what is not displayed on Chinese social media given the state's censorship.

The headline and the article are highly misleading imo. This is pure Chinese Communist Party propaganda.

Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 7d ago

This is not a 'trend' but a controlled influence campaign by the Chinese party-state.

"As a Chinese person who has been online throughout years and years of heavy Sinophobia, it felt refreshing to have the mainstream opinion finally shift regarding China," Claire, a Chinese-Canadian TikTok user, tells BBC Chinese.

There has been no "heavy sinophobia" but reports that were and still are critical about the Chinese government. Nor does the mainstream opinion now shift as people are still if not even more aware of Beijing's atrocities. This is just an influencer saying something like that for money, and I would like to know who pays her.

The article itself says later:

[Chinese state media and the government] have sought to portray the US as a decaying superpower because of inequality, a weak social safety net and a broken healthcare system. According to a commentary in state-owned Xinhua, the "kill line" meme "underscores how far the lived reality can drift from the ideals once broadcast to the world".

And:

It's little wonder that Chinese authorities are pleased with Chinamaxxing [...] Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said [...] he was "happy" to see foreigners experiencing the "everyday life of ordinary Chinese people".

Sure, they are pleased. They control the entire campaign on social media.

As the article says at the end:

It's hard to know what Chinese people make of so many things because all public conversation and activity is heavily policed. Criticising the government is risky and protests are quickly quashed.

Tere is a lot the memes making it to the West don't show. China's youth are facing an unemployment rate that sits at more than 15% and burning out from a gruelling work culture, yet sharing too much of their pessimism online could alert internet censors. They are worried about finding a home as the country's property crisis continues, and dating is no easier than anywhere else.

Yes, and there is a lot more what is not displayed on Chinese social media given the state's censorship.

The headline and the article are highly misleading imo. This is pure Chinese Communist Party propaganda.

1

Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 7d ago

This is not a 'trend' but a controlled influence campaign by the Chinese party-state.

"As a Chinese person who has been online throughout years and years of heavy Sinophobia, it felt refreshing to have the mainstream opinion finally shift regarding China," Claire, a Chinese-Canadian TikTok user, tells BBC Chinese.

There has been no "heavy sinophobia" but reports that were and still are critical about the Chinese government. Nor does the mainstream opinion now shift as people are still if not even more aware of Beijing's atrocities. This is just an influencer saying something like that for money, and I would like to know who pays her.

The article itself says later:

[Chinese state media and the government] have sought to portray the US as a decaying superpower because of inequality, a weak social safety net and a broken healthcare system. According to a commentary in state-owned Xinhua, the "kill line" meme "underscores how far the lived reality can drift from the ideals once broadcast to the world".

And:

It's little wonder that Chinese authorities are pleased with Chinamaxxing [...] Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said [...] he was "happy" to see foreigners experiencing the "everyday life of ordinary Chinese people".

Sure, they are pleased. They control the entire campaign on social media.

As the article says at the end:

It's hard to know what Chinese people make of so many things because all public conversation and activity is heavily policed. Criticising the government is risky and protests are quickly quashed.

Tere is a lot the memes making it to the West don't show. China's youth are facing an unemployment rate that sits at more than 15% and burning out from a gruelling work culture, yet sharing too much of their pessimism online could alert internet censors. They are worried about finding a home as the country's property crisis continues, and dating is no easier than anywhere else.

Yes, and there is a lot more what is not displayed on Chinese social media given the state's censorship.

The headline and the article are highly misleading imo. This is pure Chinese Communist Party propaganda.

Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 7d ago

I fully agree. It's a concerning that many journalists like these from the BBC don't appear to understand that such things are not the result of an organically grown development but rather a controlled influence campaign. The article cites "influencers" and social media stats, but the journalists should know that such sources paint a hopelessly false picture of reality.

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Hotznplotzn @lemmy.sdf.org 7d ago

A quick reminder that African countries, while delivering mostly commodities while importing high-end products, have been facing a growing trade deficit with China. Their dependence on China is growing as this kind of trade policy is a big obstacle to develop African industries and manufacturing capabilities.

It is also noteworthy that China uses this leverage for political purposes. For example, all African countries support China's aggression against Taiwan and what Beijing "reunification" (which is false, as Taiwan was never part of mainland China). The only exemption here is Eswatini, a small country in the South of the African continent that maintains an embassy in Taipei, and Taiwan maintains an embassy in Eswatini's capital Mbabane.