HKBU releases first global Chinese medicine research analytics report showing publication output tripled in 10 years
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), in collaboration with the global academic data analytics company Elsevier, has released a global research analytics report Evolving Legacy: Decoding the Scientific Trajectory of Chinese Medicine. Using scientific metrics, the report reveals systematically for the first time the comprehensive global trends and process of modernisation in Chinese medicine research. The report covers over 200,000 Chinese medicine-related publications from 2014 to 2023, providing a clear portrait of Hong Kong’s international standing and contributions in Chinese medicine research with a data-driven approach.
Key data and findings of the report
- Research growth rate: In the 10 years covered by the report, the field of Chinese medicine research has thrived, with research output showing a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%, surpassing substantially the average of 3.9% of all scientific research globally. The total volume of relevant publications has also nearly tripled during the period.
- Academic impact: 14.2% of Chinese medicine publications are ranked among the world’s top 10% most cited literature. Their Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) reached 1.12 on average, which is 12% above the international benchmark.
- Transdisciplinary features: 61.9% of the Chinese medicine research output falls into the domain of medicine; 33.1% involves biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology; and 28.1% covers pharmacology, toxicology and pharmaceutics. It reflects the increasingly interactive and collaborative developmental trend of Chinese medicine research with multiple scientific disciplines.
- Global collaboration network: In the 10 years covered by the report, Chinese medicine research has involved 188 countries or regions, with a total of more than 200,000 research articles published. Mainland China and the US took the lead in Asia and North America respectively; the UK and Germany were frontrunners in Europe; and Australia was the leader in Oceania. The results underscore the active investment and cross-border collaboration globally in Chinese medicine research.
- Social impact: 11.1% of the research outputs have been mentioned on social media, and 2.9% have been cited in policy documents, indicating the expanding resonance at both societal and policy levels.
HKBU’s research breakthroughs and their applications
In 10 years, HKBU has distinguished itself with 1,764 publications and a FWCI of 1.62. The University also boasts a remarkable 28.1% share of the top 10% highly cited publications, highlighting its research excellence and impact. The characteristics and focuses of HKBU's Chinese medicine research include:
- Setting research standards: HKBU actively promotes standardised guidelines for clinical trial reporting, effectively improving the reproducibility and international credibility of Chinese medicine research, and leading local research onto the global stage.
- Innovative drug delivery mechanisms: HKBU explores innovative drug delivery mechanisms to promote the modern application of bioactive components in Chinese medicine.
- Molecular pharmacognosy applications: By employing molecular research and data science, HKBU researchers have achieved a deeper understanding of the genetic background and evolutionary mechanisms of medicinal plants, fostering integration between traditional knowledge and modern science, and advancing the scientific modernisation of Chinese medicine.
- Integration of research and clinical practice: HKBU has extensive experience in providing clinical service in Chinese medicine. Hong Kong’s first Chinese medicine hospital operated by HKBU will commence service in phases by the end of 2025, marking a new stage in the integration of research and clinical care.
Evidence-based integration to address modern health challenges
Professor Alexander Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, stated that the University has been committed to advancing the field of Chinese medicine through research and teaching. The report is one of the University's important achievements in advancing the standardisation, modernisation, and internationalisation of Chinese medicine. The report also showcases the rapid development of Chinese medicine research, its transdisciplinary integration, and its broad influence in areas such as digital health and systems medicine.
Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) and Dean of Graduate School at HKBU, believes the report underscores that Chinese medicine is moving into a modernisation phase centred on systems medicine. By integrating life sciences and data technologies, it is expected that a new standard for integrating Chinese and Western medicine can be established.
Professor Lyu remarked that understanding human complexity through the lens of systems medicine focuses not only on clinical data, but also on patient experience and environmental factors, leading to more comprehensive and personalised care. He also emphasised that Hong Kong plays a crucial role in this historic transformation, not only promoting research standards and clinical innovation, but also serving as an important bridge between Mainland China and the global research network.
The report can be accessed here.
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