CHINA: Academic corruption undermining universities

Even at China's best universities plagiarism and falsified data are preventing the country from developing advanced science, says a world-renowned mathematics professor, writes Guo Jiaxue for China Daily.

"[Academic corruption] is serious enough to keep the development of China's advanced science from success. If it weren't, I would not have taken the trouble to speak out. There is no scholar denying it in China; they are just not willing to talk about it in public," said Yau Shing-tung, one of the country's most distinguished mathematicians.

Yau, a professor of mathematics at Harvard University, is known for his sharp criticism of China's academic world. This was not the first time he has lashed out in public against academic corruption. "It is a phenomenon unique to China. The problem is, those who are found to plagiarise and cheat don't get punished. How can others be persuaded not to?" Yau said.
Full report on the China Daily site