Chinese Scholars Research Articles

Technology-Assisted EFL Academic Writing and Its Relation to Academic Writing Anxiety

Research practice is given top priority in universities worldwide. Scholars are pushed to write and publish articles in high-ranking journals with high citation indexes, mostly English-medium journals. English as a foreign language (EFL) scholars are anxious to publish articles in Anglophone journals and one of these obstacles is academic writing skills. Studies on academic writing paid more attention to the process and obstacles of EFL students of different ages. A few studies focus on strategies EFL scholars adopt, especially those related to technology. Hence, this paper bridged the gap by investigating the relationship between EFL scholars’ academic writing strategies with the assistance of technology and their second language academic writing anxiety (SLAWA) in China. This study is a quantitative study with 140 Chinese scholars participating. Participants used technology to gain online databases most frequently. It also showed that technological strategies in the planning stage positively relate to SLAWA. In contrast, technological strategies in the problem-solving stage have no relation with SLAWA. In addition, participants' characteristics such as age and gender have no significance with SLAWA. The findings of this study suggest that more academic writing training related to technology is needed especially in the before-writing stage where scholars complain about SLAWA mostly.

Gravity’s eastern voyage: the introduction, transmission, and impact of Newtonian mechanics in late imperial China (1727–1912)

This study traces the intricate journey of Newtonian mechanics in Qing China from 1727 to 1912, elucidating the complex interplay of science, religion and politics in cross-cultural knowledge exchange. Initially introduced by Jesuit missionaries through lunar theory in calendrical reform, followed by cometary and heliocentric concepts, the dissemination of Newtonian mechanics gained momentum after the Opium Wars (1839–1842). Subsequently, Protestant missionaries and Chinese scholars collaborated to translate and propagate Newton’s laws of gravitation and motion, often contextualized within natural theology, through Western texts, popular science literature, and periodicals. This process culminated in the integration of Newtonian principles into national educational curricula in the early twentieth century. Significantly, Newtonian mechanics transcended its scientific realm, infiltrating political discourse as reformist thinkers leveraged mechanical terminology to advocate for sociopolitical change. This historical episode illustrates how the assimilation of Newtonian mechanics was influenced by missionary approaches, indigenous intellectual traditions, pragmatic national interests, and the tumultuous political landscape of Late Qing. By challenging Eurocentric narratives and highlighting Chinese agency in adapting Western knowledge, this study contributes to a more inclusive history of Newtonian science, offering a nuanced perspective on global scientific circulation.

Evolution of treatment strategies for solid tumors with RET rearrangement in China and real-world treatment status of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

ObjectiveThe present study endeavors to furnish an exhaustive review of the research advancements on solid tumors harboring RET rearrangement within the Chinese context, particularly emphasizing the examination of real-world therapeutic strategies and clinical outcomes observed in individuals diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The review delves into a critical assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of targeted RET inhibitors, while also scrutinizing the diverse array of treatment modalities employed in the Chinese patient population.MethodsThe study conducted a comprehensive review of the advancements made by Chinese scholars in the realm of RET driver genes. It delved into the analysis of the incidence of RET rearrangements in solid tumors, alongside an examination of the varied treatment paradigms and their current status within China. Utilizing the RECIST 1.1 criteria, the study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy achieved in RET-positive NSCLC patients undergoing diverse treatment modalities. Furthermore, treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were meticulously graded following the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE).ResultsA retrospective, multi-center, real-world analysis was conducted, encompassing 64 patients diagnosed with pathologically confirmed RET rearrangement advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between December 2015 and November 2023. Notably, KIF5B-RET emerged as the most prevalent RET fusion partner, accounting for 59.4% of cases. Therapeutic interventions among these patients included specific targeted inhibitors such as Pralsetinib (48.4%), chemotherapy (34.3%), multi-target inhibitors (15.6%), and one case (1.6%) involving immunotherapy combined with anti-angiogenic therapy. In terms of progression-free survival (PFS), Pralsetinib monotherapy demonstrated a median PFS of 16.03 months, outperforming chemotherapy (2.87 months; p < 0.0001), chemotherapy combined with anti-angiogenic therapy (6.90 months; p = 0.048), and multi-target inhibitors (2.50 months; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the one-year and two-year overall survival (OS) rates for Pralsetinib monotherapy were 64.3% and 46.4%, respectively. Regarding safety, 71.0% of patients receiving Pralsetinib experienced at least one adverse event, with 45.2% classified as grade 3–4 in severity. Notably, no fatalities were attributed to adverse events. Common adverse events included hemoglobin reduction (35.5%) and neutropenia (32.3%), indicative of an overall favorable safety profile for Pralsetinib in this patient population.ConclusionThis study encapsulates the research endeavors and treatment advancements of RET rearrangement solid tumors within the Chinese healthcare landscape, specifically highlighting the diverse real-world therapeutic approaches and their effectiveness in managing advanced RET rearrangement NSCLC among Chinese patients. Notably, targeted RET inhibitors like Pralsetinib have emerged as potent therapeutic agents, exhibiting remarkable efficacy and a manageable safety profile in this patient cohort. These findings underscore the potential of Pralsetinib and similar targeted therapies as novel treatment options for individuals with RET fusion-positive NSCLC.

Influence and collaboration in library and information science research: A university perspective

Objective. The objective of this study was to examine the influence and collaboration patterns within library and information science (LIS) research, with a particular focus on the contributions of universities over time. Design/Methodology/Approach. This study used bibliometrics and LIS network analysis to examine 14,517 articles indexed in Scopus from 1954 to 2023. The Bibliometrix R-package was used to identify publication trends, influential institutions, authors, and collaboration networks in the LIS field. Findings. The key findings indicated that Wuhan University was the foremost institution in LIS research, with notable contributions from Chinese scholars who were identified as the most influential authors in the field. The keywords “information science” and “information retrieval” emerged as common thematic areas, reflecting core research interests. The content analysis also revealed that LIS research had robust connections with fields such as physics, computer science, and information technology, underscoring an interdisciplinary trend. Originality/Value. This study offered original insights into the evolving landscape of LIS research, identifying both leadership in academic output and potential gaps in current research coverage. It underscored the necessity for future research to expand the scope of its database and refine keyword selection for more comprehensive representation. The findings contributed to the strategic development of LIS research and the fostering of international collaboration.

China’s perception of minilateralism and Chinese-style multilateralism

ABSTRACT Chinese-style multilateralism, while exhibiting certain parallels with the emergent minilateral groupings in the Indo-Pacific—such as informality and issue-centricity—distinctly distances itself from these frameworks in official discourse. By examining the perspectives of Chinese scholars and official stances on minilateralism, and exploring China’s evolving conceptual preference for multilateralism, this study suggests that China’s circumspection is not solely attributed to the perceived antagonism and the confrontational undertones of minilateral frameworks in the region. It also stems from the intrinsic disparities between American minilateralism and China’s favoured multilateral approach, characterized by defensiveness, inclusivity, and a distinct preference for scale, with the latter further demonstrated by three case studies: the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism. In this context, Chinese-style multilateralism emerges as a crucial strategy to enhance its resilience against possible scenarios of decoupling or ‘de-risking’ instigated by the U.S., aiming to achieve an equilibrium of institutional power and defend its role as a pivotal player in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. This paper concludes by looking into the implications of Chinese-style multilateralism for the region as well as its prospect within China’s diplomatic endeavours.

A reflection on making ‘Religion’ in China: The Genealogy of Zongjiao through cultural exchange

The term Zongjiao [宗教] originally referring to the teachings of Buddhism and Chinese ancestral worship was not considered the equivalent for the English term ‘religion’ until the late 19th century when Japanese translated religion as shūkyō [宗教]. The later introduction of the concept of Zongjiao into China via Japan triggered a deep exploration of the differences between religion and Jiao among Chinese intellectuals like Liang Qichao, Kang Youwei and Peng Guangyu, representing Chinese scholars’ conceptualisation and reflections of Chinese traditional religious belief, practices and phenomena within the context of Western religious culture. Rather than a simple lexical selection, the translation of ‘religion’ essentially was a process of making the notion of ‘religion’ in China, which had provided valuable insight into the nature of Chinese Confucianism culture and was closely related to the understanding of the state–church relationship in China. With continuous cultural exchanges and integration, reflecting on this translation process will provide a more inclusive perspective on the complexity and diversity of religions and facilitate mutual learning.Contribution: This article briefly reviews the process of accepting Zongjiao [宗教] as the equivalent for the Western term ‘religion’ in China, in order to shed light on how such translation has influenced people’s understanding of religion and the inclusiveness contained in the study of religion.

The propagation paths of the Catholic doctrine of the Trinity in the Ming and Qing dynasties

According to historical analysis and textual interpretation, the propagation of the Catholic doctrine of the Trinity in the Ming and Qing dynasties was closely related to Matteo Ricci. When entering China, Ricci put forward the ‘Theory of Buddhist-Daoist Plagiarism’, asserting that Buddhism and Taoism had plagiarised the Catholic doctrine on the triune God. As for Confucianism, he pointed out that the ancient Confucian classics did not contain the doctrine of the Trinity, which he attributed to various facters, leading to what may be termed the ‘Confucian Absence Theory’. Matteo Ricci’s interpretations and propositions regarding the Chinese Trinity paved the way for the ‘Yi-Fo School’, the ‘Bu-Ru School’ and the Figurism, which emerged during the dissemination of the Trinity in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The ‘Yi-Fo School’ advocated replacing the Buddhist Trinity with the Catholic Trinity to complement the perceived absence in Confucianism, thus forming the ‘Bu-Ru School’. In contrast, Figurism advocated for use of Chinese characters and texts as clues to uncover the missing Trinity in Confucian classics. Regarding Matteo Ricci’s viewpoints and the above three paths, Buddhism of that era believed that Catholicism had plagiarised the Buddhist doctrine of the Trinity, and modern Chinese scholars also argued that the views of the Figurism were overly far-fetched. These paths placed the Trinitarian doctrines of Catholicism, Buddhism and Daoism in a cross-linguistic and cross-cultural comparative framework, underscoring the methodological significance of exchanges and mutual learning among civilisations.Contribution: This article examines the nexus between Matteo Ricci and the propagation of the Catholic doctrine of the Trinity in the Ming and Qing dynasties. It also investigates the evolution of three distinct pathway for this doctrinal propagation and assesses the Chinese Populace’s reactions, as well as the interplay of their discourses.

The formation of tea culture in British

When foreign people think of British culture nowadays, they can easily picture gentlemen and ladies elegantly dressed, surrounded by fine furniture and utensils, enjoying afternoon tea. The unique tea culture has already become a strong impression of Britain. This article explores the positioning of tea within the map of cultural differentiation, highlighting its status as a significant symbol of British culture, despite Britain not being its country of origin. The success of tea arose from the collision of Eastern and Western civilizations, with Chinese tea being introduced to Britain by Dutch merchant ships in the 17th century, marking its economic rise. The paper raises key questions about how tea transformed from an exotic product into a British cultural icon and whether the promotion of tea culture in Britain is mere imitation or rooted in local traditions. Additionally, it reviews research by Chinese and foreign scholars on British tea culture, focusing on the origins of tea culture in China, including the history of tea cultivation and consumption, and the evolution of tea culture in various dynasties. The second half describes in detail the thriving process of tea trade in Britain since the 17th century, the background of tea culture breaking the gender status and other restrictions in British society, and the different connotations and influences of tea culture in the British upper society and working class.

A Comparative Analysis of Educational Leadership Research: Insights from U.S. and China based on CiteSpace

Research on educational leadership in the United States began in the early 1980s, originating from principles of industrial and business management, with leadership theories and practices from business being adapted for educational settings. Over time, educational leadership theories have evolved through various interdisciplinary perspectives. The United States has produced extensive research on educational leadership, providing valuable insights for Chinese scholars. Most Chinese research is based on American experiences, with little comparative analysis between Chinese and American studies, and often relies on subjective content interpretation with limited use of scientific tools. This study uses CiteSpace, a scientific measurement software, to visually analyze Chinese and American research literature. It aims to objectively compare educational leadership research between the two countries, offering new ideas and perspectives for Chinese researchers.

Global aspirations of Chinese universities: towards a world-centred tianxia (all under heaven) imaginary of global higher education?

AbstractThis article explores the global aspirations of Chinese universities by examining the Chinese scholarly conceptualisation of guoji yingxiangli (literally meaning international influence) and its connection to the world-centred idea of tianxia. We interviewed 22 Chinese experts in education and conducted a documentary analysis of relevant Chinese academic publications. Findings show that there is no English equivalence of the Chinese term guoji yingxiangli of universities, which encompasses two aspects: the intrinsic capacity of universities and their external reputation and relations. Chinese universities’ agential pursuit of guoji yingxiangli embodies their commitment to both national ambitions and global common good. The study then argues that the world-centred tianxia imaginary, characterised by interdependency, reciprocity, and diversity, is more effective in explaining the higher education practices and relations in China and globally than methodological globalism or nationalism. It also highlights the need for further research and critical reflections on the tianxia imaginary while calling for reciprocal collaboration, diverse and mutual development, and the production of global common goods among worldwide universities.

Роль китайских пушкинистов в популяризации русской литературы в культурном континууме КНР

The aim of the study is to assess the scale of research and educational activities of Chinese scientists, whose focus is Russian literature, namely the work of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin. To do this, the authors of the article identify and systematize the scientific works of Chinese scientists using the information capabilities of the scientific platform CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, “Zhongguo Zhiwan” – hereinafter Zhiwan). Various scientific materials are posted here, including those that provide an opportunity to get acquainted with the most popular works of Chinese Pushkin scholars. An analysis of the entire volume of publications on this site made it possible to highlight the names of outstanding Chinese scientists who devoted their lives to the study and popularization of Russian culture and literature among their com-patriots. The characteristic features of the activities of Chinese Russian scholars are highlighted and described. The authors identified and systematized, according to the degree of publication activity, Chinese printed publications that posted materials on the Zhiwan website that, to one degree or another, related to the study of the works of the great Russian poet and prose writer. Particular attention is paid to the systematization of monographs and articles not only by philologists, but also by representatives of other scientific fields. The authors presented a brief description of public events (conferences, competitions, etc.) held in China by scientific and educational institutions to popularize Russian spiritual culture. The research results reflected in the reports of Chinese Pushkin scholars can be found on the Zhiwan website. The methodological basis is the dialectical method of scientific knowledge, which made it possible to trace the continuity of the scientific research of Chinese Pushkinists. The systematic method revealed the wide capabilities of the CNKI scientific platform. The statistical method for identifying and processing textual information provided a quantitative description of the scale and depth of the study of Russian literature abroad. Thanks to the analytical-synthetic method, not only was a database of scientific works created by Chinese researchers of the life and work of A.S. Pushkin, but also their role in the popularization of Russian culture in China was revealed. The conducted research is interdisciplinary in nature and may be in demand by domestic and Chinese Pushkin scholars (philologists, historians, cultural experts, specialists in the field of art history).

From ‘Practical Application of Knowledge’ to ‘Academic Self-Awareness’: A Historical Examination of Knowledge Production in Chinese Middle East Studies

The knowledge production in Chinese Middle East studies boasts a long history. The article traces the evolution of Chinese scholarship on Middle East studies from ancient times to the present. Initially driven by the practical needs for imperial expansion and foreign trade, this scholarship focused on the academic tradition of the ‘practical application of knowledge.’ Over time, it evolved into a phase of academic self-awareness, characterized by a more systematic and independent approach to Middle East studies. This shift reflects broader changes in China’s foreign relations and academic priorities, with contemporary scholars emphasizing the development of an autonomous knowledge production system through various models, such as major-theme research, discipline-driven research, and integrated research. The article suggests that future research should adopt an ‘issue-driven’ model to enhance further the depth and autonomy of Chinese Middle East studies.

The Chinese idea of a university in flux: academic freedom and institutional autonomy under entrepreneurial reforms in the GBA

ABSTRACT The complexity of the idea of a university has been intensified globally as more universities pursue entrepreneurship. For modern universities in China as latecomers, contemporary entrepreneurial reforms are implemented against a backdrop of ongoing interactions between Chinese and Western ideas of a university, with the Western established as the formal system and the Chinese functioning informally yet powerfully. Through 71 semi-structured interviews at four universities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, this study explores how academic freedom and institutional autonomy are perceived by Chinese academics under entrepreneurial reforms. The study has two major findings through Clark’s analytical framework of academic, government, and market forces: (1) A novel form of statist academic freedom is emerging, merging traditional Chinese scholarly values with state-driven entrepreneurial demands; (2) The adapted triple helix model in China emphasises competition and excellence, shaped by a unique blend of state influence and market dynamics. It offers a nuanced perspective on academic freedom and institutional autonomy amidst entrepreneurial reforms in China, highlighting a compatibility with Chinese idea of a university and a response to global entrepreneurial pressures.

Research on Marginal Consumption Tendency of Urban Residents in Yangtze River Delta Region

One of the important research matters is the marginal consumption propensity of urban residents. A great many Chinese scholars have investigated the marginal consumption propensity of residents in a single province and city, but there is still a certain gap in the comparative study of marginal consumption tendency among different provinces and cities nationwide. The research theme of this paper is to explore the marginal consumption tendency of urban residents in the Yangtze River Delta region and compare the differences among them. We select the per capita disposable income and per capita consumption expenditure of urban residents in the Yangtze River Delta region from 2004 to 2022, dividing the Yangtze River Delta region into four cities, and calculate the marginal consumption tendency of urban residents in each city by establishing the ELES model. The study found that the marginal consumption tendency of food and housing has become the highest value of urban residents in each region, reflecting people's attention to food and continuous pursuit of improving living experience. And in the case of different cities in the Yangtze River Delta region, there is a relatively distinct difference in the marginal consumption propensity of residents.

The cardiovascular risks of sedentary behavior and the progress of physical activity interventions

Since the 1960s, sedentary behavior has been on the rise globally. Modern culture is characterized by sedentary behavior (SB), which has become a distinct risk factor for non-communicable illnesses. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are rapidly spreading around the world. A growing body of research has established the significance of SB as a risk factor for the onset of CVD. Additionally, blood lipoprotein (BL), blood pressure (BP), blood glucose (BG), and endothelial function (EF) are among the CVD risk variables that SB may significantly affect. Chinese scholars have not paid enough attention to the harm of SB to CVD, which needs urgent attention. Physical activity (PA) can improve the health of sedentary people. Increased PA may be able to counteract sedentary-induced CVD events, as analyzed by the study. In particular, a multi-component approach to exercise can significantly enhance cardio-metabolic health. Therefore, people may choose PA control as a means of reducing the incidence of CVD.

State of the Field Report XV: Contemporary Chinese Studies of the Scholastic-Aristotelian Soul in Late-Ming and Early-Qing China

AbstractThe Jesuit China mission coincided with a sophisticated attempt to place Chinese and Western concepts of human nature in dialogue with Confucianism. The Jesuits believed that they could facilitate evangelization by drawing upon Confucian concepts to explain the soul. In so doing, they and their Chinese collaborators also pioneered a genre of hybrid philosophical texts, which used Aristotelian conceptions of the soul to critique and supplement autochthonous Chinese conceptions of human nature. These texts are not just of significance for Chinese Christian theology, but also anthropology, psychology, and even medicine, given the role played by the soul in both Chinese and Western conceptions of human physiology at the time. Until recently these texts have been little studied except by missiologists who were more interested in their relevance for mission history than for comparative philosophy. Scholarship has perhaps also been hampered by the immense linguistic demands of studying texts that sit between the Chinese and Western intellectual traditions. Recently, however, a number of Chinese scholars have turned their attention to these texts, intrigued by novel philosophical ideas contained therein and their complex relationship to both the Western and Chinese intellectual and religious traditions. Since many of these Chinese-language contributions are published in volumes which are not easily accessible outside of China, they have not enjoyed great visibility in Western-language scholarship. This article will review the major developments in Chinese scholarship and will conclude with suggestions for future research.

The Functional Features of Chunks in Journal Articles of Aquaculture

This study investigates the functional similarities and differences of four-word chunks in the academic discourse of aquaculture by Chinese and international scholars based on Hyland’s functional classification method within a corpus-driven approach. The findings reveal that, compared to their international counterparts, Chinese scholars significantly utilize more four-word chunks. Functionally, Chinese scholars frequently employ quantification, structure, framing, and engagement chunks, underscoring the importance they assign to the logic of discourse and the interaction between authors and readers. The infrequent use of description chunks suggests that it is essential for Chinese scholars to fully appreciate the significance of describing research objects, methods, and results in order to convey the foundational and experimental nature of hard science research. Furthermore, the structures of chunks used by Chinese and international scholars to express the same discourse functions differ. The expression of data indication among Chinese scholars appears more solidified. These research results can offer valuable references for academic writing.

Laughing off modernity into a Daoist movement in a college classroom in China: a decolonial and feminist materialist unpacking

ABSTRACT In this paper, I revisit a spontaneous laughter event in a college classroom in China to decolonize in three steps my/our otherwise naturalized modernity/coloniality assumptions about teaching/teachers, learning/learners, gender, objects, and classroom space toward a Daoist affective ecological imaginary. First, I invoke postcritical pedagogy scholarship to theoretically recast laughter, often taken as a humorous aberrance, as a mattering pedagogy. Second, I bring in feminist ‘pedagogies of mattering’ to attend to the materiality of the laughter event, further decolonizing hierarchical power and gendered subjectivities into an experienced democracy of flesh and affective movement of collectivity. Lastly, I reinvoke the Chinese Daoist notion tiānrénhéyī 天人合一as a hope-full alternative ethico-onto-episteme to reimagine education as cultivating ecologically responsible and responsive cosmic beings. I end this paper with some penultimate thoughts on theoretical-methodological challenges in decolonizing modernity-coloniality in a Chinese context, as an overseas-returning Chinese scholar, and with/beyond the Western scholarship.

Academic Development of Chinese Social Psychology: A Citation Analysis of Social Psychology Articles Published by Chinese Scholars During 2006 to 2015

Chinese social psychology developed vigorously, and its scientific achievement showed explosive growth from 2000 to 2015. Based on typical Chinese social psychology articles published between 2006 and 2015, the development trend of this discipline was investigated in this article by means of citation analysis. There were 61,284 references in 1,982 typical Chinese social psychology essays, which were retrieved from the database of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Web of Science (WoS) and general literature database. The results were as follows: (a) The primary types of journal citation in the discipline of Chinese social psychology were English journals rather than Chinese journals; (b) The research hotspot of social psychology in China, as reflected by the top cited authors, involved both indigenous psychology and social psychology of culture; (c) The literature obsolescence rate of Chinese citations was declining and much lower than before; (d) Collaborations increased in Chinese social psychology articles, but remained significantly lower than collaborations in English articles.

Characterizing the cultural landscape of traditional Chinese settlements through genome maps

Plentiful traditional settlements are the key part of Chinese cultural heritage due to their prominent traditional cultural features and rich historical information. The rapidly growing social economy of China raises a pressing need for understanding their rich traditional knowledge and wisdom. In order to explore this issue, Cultural Landscape Genes of Traditional Settlements (CLGTS) has been proposed by Chinese scholars since 2003. Since that, it has been attracting wide attention and has made significant strides in many areas, such as urban planning and the development of tourism. However, CLGTS still faces significant difficulties in addressing the connections between the cultural elements and the entire spatial image of traditional settlements. To fill this gap, this work proposed Landscape Genome Maps of Traditional Settlements (LGMTS) based on CLGTS. First, this work clarified the definition of Landscape Genomes of Traditional Settlements (LGTS); then, this work deeply clarified the connotations of LGMTS, and addressed the relations among CLGTS, LGTS, and LGMTS. Based on these findings, this work further established the classifications of LGMTS and explored its functions. Finally, through a case study, the potential of LGMTS to catch the critical cultural features of traditional settlements was shown.