China must enforce high standards of integrity for scientists

China today is a pre-eminent technological powerhouse. Over multiple generations, Beijing has marshalled enormous resources to build one of the world’s largest pools of research talent. Under President Xi Jinping, Beijing has doubled down, with the 15th five-year plan projecting research and development spending to grow by at least 7 per cent annually. Yet quantity alone cannot secure scientific leadership. The nation’s future depends equally on quality. That demands an unwavering commitment to scientific integrity. The latest misconduct revelations underscore this imperative.