November 27, the Institutes of Science and Development,Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASISD), the National Science Library of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Clarivate Analytics released two reports, namely “2024 Research Fronts” and “Research Fronts 2024: Active Fields, Leading Countries/Regions”, at a joint forum in Beijing. The forum drew over 300 on-site participants and more than 300,000 online viewers through live streaming.

The reports identified 125 research fronts, including 110 hot and 15 emerging fronts in 11 broad research areas such as agricultural science, botany and zoology, ecology and environmental science, geoscience, clinical medicine, biological science, chemistry and materials science, physics, astronomy and astrophysics, mathematics, information science, economics, and psychology.

In his opening remarks, WU Zhaohui, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), highlighted the pivotal role of scientific innovation in driving human social progress. He also emphasized CAS’s dedication to fundamental research and its role in providing insights to inform science-related decision-making.

“The Chinese Academy of Sciences has consistently prioritized fundamental research as the cornerstone of its operations. We have pursued mission-oriented research, and in recent years, we have attained a substantial number of original findings, propelling several disciplines in China to the vanguard of global advancement,” stated Wu, a member of CAS.

“The reports show that AI-enabled scientific research, next-generation high-performance communications, future energy, addressing climate change, and improving human health and well-being have become key areas of scientific exploration,” said PAN Jiaofeng, President of CASISD.

Key findings from the report of “Research Front 2024: Active Fields, Leading Countries/Regions” reveal that the United States maintains its leading position, ranking first in more than 50% of research fronts. China holds the second position, leading in over 30% of research areas. The United Kingdom, Germany, and France round out the top five positions.

Notably, China shows strength in Chemistry and Materials Science, with promising developments in agricultural sciences and ecology and environmental science. The country maintains competitive positions in physics and information science, though gaps exist in geoscience and social sciences.

Since the inaugural release in 2014, the Research Fronts series has continuously refined its methodology and enriched its content. The reports have become valuable resources for the scientific community, government agencies and the general public, offering comprehensive insights into global scientific and technological development trends.