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Peking University Professor Slams China's Academic Misconduct as World Record, Warns of Dire Consequences

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Peking University professor Rao Yi stated that China's academic misconduct has reached a historical record, with a high proportion of violations and few punishments.
  • Rao Yi warned that students involved in academic fraud could cause long-term harm to various industries in China after graduation.
  • He urged Chinese universities and government agencies to implement stricter regulations and punishments to uphold academic integrity and honesty.

A prominent Peking University professor has voiced strong criticism regarding the state of academic integrity in China, asserting that instances of misconduct have set a "world historical record." Rao Yi, a distinguished professor, stated in a recent lecture that while China's research output is large, the "actual proportion" of academic dishonesty is unprecedented in world history.

China's academic misconduct has set a world historical record, not only because of the absolute number of violations due to China's large research volume, but more importantly, the 'actual proportion' of misconduct is unprecedented in world history.

— Rao YiIn a lecture at Ningbo Oriental University of Science and Technology, Professor Rao Yi discussed the state of academic integrity in China.

Rao Yi highlighted that unlike in past centuries where academic fraud in countries like Britain and France were isolated scandals, and the U.S. experienced little widespread misconduct during its scientific rise, China faces a different reality. He noted that not only is the rate of misconduct alarmingly high, but the system rarely punishes offenders.

The professor expressed concern that students who engage in or are led into academic fraud by their instructors could inflict more profound damage on various sectors of Chinese society after graduation. This, he argued, poses a greater threat than the harm to science itself. Rao Yi called for stricter oversight and disciplinary measures from Chinese universities and national bodies, emphasizing that "science is about principles, and the bottom line of science is honesty."

Science is about principles, and the bottom line of science is honesty.

— Rao YiProfessor Rao Yi stressed the fundamental importance of honesty in scientific pursuits during his lecture.

He lamented that many fail to grasp the severity of academic dishonesty and that effective containment and punishment are severely lacking. Rao Yi criticized those who "waste national investment" without establishing robust mechanisms or taking decisive action to address academic misconduct and solidify the "red line" of scientific integrity.

Some people disregard national interests and dare to waste the people's investment, yet dare not and are unwilling to establish effective mechanisms and take practical action to deal with academic misconduct and establish the red line of science.

— Rao YiRao Yi criticized the lack of accountability and action regarding academic dishonesty in China.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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