Open for impact: China’s gold open access boosting global innovation and supporting the Global South

"Part of our support to the research community is through providing evidence-based studies such as this white paper, which highlights the growing impact of China’s OA research. The evidence is clear: gold OA is amplifying the reach, visibility, and influence of China’s research, with measurable benefits for both China and its international partners. Chinese OA articles receive more citations and downloads from the Global South than comparable non-OA articles, and leading institutions and high-impact disciplines all experience this increased global footprint.

The findings also show that openness is reshaping collaboration. Co-authored OA research between China and the Global South is rising quickly, generating strong citation impact and strengthening scientific cooperation. These collaborations are addressing shared challenges in areas such as health, energy, food security, and climate action, aligning closely with global priorities, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals."