Globalization of Chinese International Law Scholarship: A Bibliometric Analysis (2005-2025)

Xinrong Tan

JEAIL Volume 19, Number 1 (2026), 127-148

Abstract

Despite the growing number of international publications by Chinese scholars in the field of international law, there has been limited attention given to the distinctive characteristics of their contributions. This study examines the features and trends of international publications by Chinese international law scholars, using data from international law journals from 2005 to 2025. The results reveal a steady increase in the number of articles published by Chinese scholars, with a sharp rise since 2020. University rankings reveal geographical imbalances and a two-track pattern of internationalization. While scholars from mainland institutions have made rapid progress, their presence in international legal discussions is still heavily dependent on being at universities in Hong Kong and Macau. Collaboration remains the most common publication model taking the form of both domestic and international partnerships. This research provides an empirical baseline for understanding China’s contributions and offers insights into the shifting power dynamics in global legal discourse.

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