China’s international research collaboration: evidence from a panel gravity model

While there is considerable empirical evidence on the intensity of China’s international research collaboration, the determinants of this research collaboration have rarely been examined. Using data from Web of Science on all co-publications between China and 147 countries for the period 2008–2015, this paper examines the changing spatial patterns and determinants of China’s international research collaboration. Our empirical results, based on a gravity econometric model, show that the publication activities of China and foreign countries, similarity in disciplinary specialization and language are important factors that affect China’s international research collaboration.