China's Top 2% Scientists 2021: Career-Long List

China has 6,943 scientists on the 2021 career-long Top 2% list, up 31.7% from 5,273 in 2020. That places China 6th in the world by number of listed scientists, up 1 place. Tsinghua University has the most listed scientists (335), followed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (205).

Single Year

16,611

+3,656 (+28.2%) vs 2020

Career Data

6,943

+1,670 (+31.7%) vs 2020

World rank by count

up 1 place vs 2020

Institutes

769

+60 (+8.5%) vs 2020

Scientists in China on the list, by year

The career-long count has grown 32% since 2020.

Career-long list, change on the previous year

2021+31.7%

2022+10.8%

2023+17.2%

2024+18.6%

2025+15.8%

Show the numbers

Year	Single Year	Change	Career Data	Change
2020	12,955		5,273
2021	16,611	+28.2%	6,943	+31.7%
2022	19,310	+16.2%	7,693	+10.8%
2023	23,487	+21.6%	9,013	+17.2%
2024	27,166	+15.7%	10,689	+18.6%
2025	31,697	+16.7%	12,375	+15.8%

Top 10 institutes in China

By number of listed scientists

Career-long list2021

Show the list

1Tsinghua University335
2Shanghai Jiao Tong University205
3Peking University150
4Chinese Academy of Sciences133
5Fudan University125
6Harbin Institute of Technology123
7South China University of Technology101
8Central South University100
9Tianjin University100
10Huazhong University of Science and Technology97

All 6,943 scientists

Career-long list2021

The first 100 are free to browse.

Export CSV

Rank in China	World rank	Scientist	Institute	Sub-field	Rank in sub-field
1	104	RD Rubin, Donald B.	Tsinghua University	Statistics & Probability	Rank 1
2	126	IA Inoue, Akihisa	Tianjin University	Materials	Rank 1
3	150	ZJ Zhu, Jian Kang	Chinese Academy of Sciences	Plant Biology & Botany	Rank 1
4	180	HJ He, Ji Huan	Soochow University	Mathematical Physics	Rank 1
5	193	XZ Xu, Zeshui	Sichuan University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 6
6	479	ZD Zhao, Dongyuan	Fudan University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 17
7	553	WF Wilczek, Frank	Shanghai Jiao Tong University	Nuclear & Particle Physics	Rank 7
8	625	Cao, Jinde	Southeast University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 14
9	830	DR Dixon, Richard A.	Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences	Plant Biology & Botany	Rank 3
10	940	YJ Yu, Jiaguo	Wuhan University of Technology	Physical Chemistry	Rank 4
11	985	SY Shi, Yigong	Westlake University	Developmental Biology	Rank 77
12	1,055	NC Nan, Ce Wen	Tsinghua University	Materials	Rank 13
13	1,067	ZZ Zhang, Zhengyou	Tencent	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 22
14	1,074	LY Li, Yongfang	Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 28
15	1,108	SY Shen, Y. Ron	Fudan University	Applied Physics	Rank 40
16	1,201	ZZ Zhou, Zhi Hua	Nanjing University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 26
17	1,396	YX Yao, Xin	Southern University of Science and Technology	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 31
18	1,528	GH Gleiter, Herbert	Nanjing University of Science and Technology	Materials	Rank 21
19	1,590	LK Lu, K.	Institute of Metal Research Chinese Academy of Sciences	Materials	Rank 22
20	1,770	DH de Heer, Walt A.	Tianjin University	Applied Physics	Rank 60
21	1,806	TJ Thiery, Jean Paul	Guangdong Laboratory	Developmental Biology	Rank 127
22	1,927	YY Yamamoto, Yoshinori	Dalian University of Technology	Organic Chemistry	Rank 57
23	1,952	LC Li, Can	Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences	Physical Chemistry	Rank 9
24	1,998	LY Li, Yadong	Tsinghua University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 44
25	2,200	YS Yu, Shu Hong	Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 48
26	2,281	ZY Zheng, Yong Fei	University of Science and Technology of China	Geochemistry & Geophysics	Rank 18
27	2,285	PX Peng, Xiaogang	Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University	General Chemistry	Rank 34
28	2,292	WS Wei, Su Huai	Beijing Computational Science Research Center	Applied Physics	Rank 74
29	2,300	SH Shen, Hui Shen	Shanghai Jiao Tong University	Mechanical Engineering & Transports	Rank 18
30	2,316	LX Li, Xian Hua	Chinese Academy of Sciences	Geochemistry & Geophysics	Rank 19
31	2,416	PM Poo, Mu Ming	CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology	Neurology & Neurosurgery	Rank 229
32	2,551	WM Wong, Ming Hung	Southern University of Science and Technology	Environmental Sciences	Rank 6
33	2,610	SD Sun, Da Wen	South China University of Technology	Food Science	Rank 4
34	2,706	CJ Chan, J. K.C.	Queen Elizabeth Hospital Hong Kong	Pathology	Rank 11
35	2,746	SJ Shi, J.	Shanghai Institute of Ceramics Chinese Academy of Sciences	Materials	Rank 32
36	2,782	MW Ma, Wen Xiu	Zhejiang Normal University	Mathematical Physics	Rank 4
37	2,817	CY Cao, Yong	South China University of Technology	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 55
38	2,973	LS Liao, Shijun	Shanghai Jiao Tong University	Mathematical Physics	Rank 5
39	3,143	DC Dong, Chen	Tsinghua University	Immunology	Rank 128
40	3,182	WG Wei, Guiwu	Sichuan Normal University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 67
41	3,253	WX Wang, Xiaodong	Tsinghua University	Developmental Biology	Rank 201
42	3,273	WJ Wang, Jianlong	Tsinghua University	Environmental Sciences	Rank 12
43	3,474	WW Wang, W. H.	University of Chinese Academy of Sciences	Applied Physics	Rank 99
44	3,486	HL Ho, Luis C.	Peking University	Astronomy & Astrophysics	Rank 18
45	3,562	MS Ma, Shengming	Fudan University	Organic Chemistry	Rank 94
46	3,690	GJ Gao, Jiali	Shenzhen Bay Laboratory	Chemical Physics	Rank 121
47	3,756	TS Tong, Shaocheng	Liaoning University of Technology	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 79
48	3,761	WL Wang, Li	East China Jiaotong University	Materials	Rank 42
49	3,841	CR Cai, Rong Gen	Institute of Theoretical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences	Nuclear & Particle Physics	Rank 54
50	3,906	AB Ainsworth, Barbara	Shanghai University of Sport	Public Health	Rank 29
51	3,907	SG Song, Guang Ling	Xiamen University	Materials	Rank 43
52	4,045	LH Löe, Harald	Prince Philip Dental Hospital	Dentistry	Rank 11
53	4,190	CG Chen, Guohua	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Chemical Engineering	Rank 12
54	4,388	WY Wang, Youfa	School of Basic Medical Sciences	Nutrition & Dietetics	Rank 38
55	4,392	OS Oyama, S. Ted	Fuzhou University	Physical Chemistry	Rank 21
56	4,456	AZ An, Zhisheng	Chinese Academy of Sciences	Geochemistry & Geophysics	Rank 45
57	4,615	YC Yang, Chen Ning	Tsinghua University	Nuclear & Particle Physics	Rank 69
58	4,719	BP BROOKES, Philip C.	College of Environmental and Resource Sciences	Agronomy & Agriculture	Rank 14
59	4,755	MH Mao, Ho Kwang	Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research	Applied Physics	Rank 127
60	4,835	MB Mukherjee, Biswanath	Soochow University	Networking & Telecommunications	Rank 33
61	4,859	MB Meunier, Bernard	Guangdong University of Technology	Organic Chemistry	Rank 113
62	4,914	XH Xu, Hong Kun	Hangzhou Dianzi University	General Mathematics	Rank 9
63	4,940	CH Cheng, Hui Ming	Institute of Metal Research Chinese Academy of Sciences	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 78
64	5,006	ZS Zhou, Shu Feng	Huaqiao University	Pharmacology & Pharmacy	Rank 38
65	5,139	TH Tian, He	East China University of Science and Technology	Organic Chemistry	Rank 117
66	5,255	MK Maruoka, Keiji	Guangdong University of Technology	Organic Chemistry	Rank 119
67	5,343	LY Liu, Youhua	Southern Medical University	Urology & Nephrology	Rank 47
68	5,466	XL Xiao, Lihua	South China Agricultural University	Mycology & Parasitology	Rank 7
69	5,567	SR Sun, Runcang	Dalian Polytechnic University	Polymers	Rank 44
70	5,780	WJ Woo, Jean	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Nutrition & Dietetics	Rank 49
71	5,810	LY Li, Y.	Hebei University of Technology	Networking & Telecommunications	Rank 42
72	5,895	DS Dong, Shaojun	Changchun Institute Of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy Of Sciences	Analytical Chemistry	Rank 28
73	6,143	ZJ Zhang, Jiujun	Shanghai University	Energy	Rank 54
74	6,197	SC Shi, Caijun	Hunan University	Building & Construction	Rank 5
75	6,237	SR Stevens, Raymond C.	ShanghaiTech University	Biochemistry & Molecular Biology	Rank 330
76	6,311	CC Chapman, Colin A.	Northwest University	Behavioral Science & Comparative Psychology	Rank 13
77	6,361	LS Li, Stan Z.	Westlake University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 116
78	6,464	LJ Lin, Jiunn H.	3D Bio Optima Co., Ltd.	Pharmacology & Pharmacy	Rank 46
79	6,481	AB Anderson, Brian D.O.	Hangzhou Dianzi University	Industrial Engineering & Automation	Rank 43
80	6,677	XQ Xu, Qingbo	The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine	Cardiovascular System & Hematology	Rank 335
81	6,718	ZM Zhai, Ming Guo	Chinese Academy of Sciences	Geochemistry & Geophysics	Rank 71
82	6,726	BM Brown, Michael	China University of Geosciences	Geochemistry & Geophysics	Rank 73
83	6,881	MD Ma, Dawei	Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences	Organic Chemistry	Rank 147
84	6,989	WL Wan, Li Jun	Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences	Chemical Physics	Rank 186
85	7,041	XS Xu, Shengyuan	Nanjing University of Science and Technology	Industrial Engineering & Automation	Rank 50
86	7,289	WF Wang, Fei Yue	Chinese Academy of Sciences	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 128
87	7,293	LB Lu, Bai	Tsinghua University	Neurology & Neurosurgery	Rank 644
88	7,298	ZY Zhu, Yong Guan	Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences	Environmental Sciences	Rank 31
89	7,395	LJ Liu, Jie	Zunyi Medical University	Toxicology	Rank 22
90	7,636	ZA Zhu, Andrew X.	Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 348
91	7,707	CX Cao, Xuetao	Nankai University	Immunology	Rank 305
92	7,816	IT Ikeda, Tomiki	Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences	Polymers	Rank 62
93	7,835	BS Bachu, S.	Energy Resources Conservation Board	Energy	Rank 67
94	7,839	CP Cheng, P.	Shanghai Jiao Tong University	Mechanical Engineering & Transports	Rank 46
95	7,889	DF Ding, Feng	Jiangnan University	Industrial Engineering & Automation	Rank 60
96	7,978	SY Shi, Yuhui	Southern University of Science and Technology	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 141
97	7,984	SD Su, Dang Sheng	Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences	Organic Chemistry	Rank 166
98	8,064	SY Sun, Yi	Zhejiang University School of Medicine	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 372
99	8,120	MZ Ma, Zongyi	Institute of Metal Research Chinese Academy of Sciences	Materials	Rank 99
100	8,131	CA Conney, Allan H.	Guangdong University of Technology	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 374
No scientists match this filter.

Showing 1 to 100 of the first 100 Show

Paid plans

See all 6,943 scientists in China

You are seeing the first 100. 6,843 more are on the 2021 career-long list.

Ranks 101 to 6,943The whole list, not only the top 100.

Every year since 2020Single Year and Career Data.

Search the full listBy name, institute or sub-field.

CSV exportDownload the list for your own work.

View Plans & Upgrade Compare plans

Cancel anytime · Secure billing

Countries with a similar count

Career-long list2021

Germany9,986 scientistsin 2021

Canada8,127 scientistsin 2021

Japan7,362 scientistsin 2021

Australia6,369 scientistsin 2021

France5,912 scientistsin 2021

Italy4,956 scientistsin 2021

Explore other countries

Career-long list2021

South Korea1,751 scientistsin 2021

Taiwan1,479 scientistsin 2021

Hong Kong1,018 scientistsin 2021

Macau31 scientistsin 2021

India2,042 scientistsin 2021

Israel1,870 scientistsin 2021

All countries on the world map

Frequently asked questions

How many scientists from China are in the 2021 Stanford Top 2% list?

16,611 scientists affiliated with China are on the 2021 single-year list, and 6,943 are on the career-long list.

Which institute in China has the most Top 2% scientists?

On the 2021 career-long list, Tsinghua University has the most listed scientists from China, with 335. It is followed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University with 205.

How has the number of Top 2% scientists in China changed since 2020?

On the career-long list, China went from 5,273 scientists in 2020 to 6,943 in 2021, a change of +31.7%.

What is the difference between the single-year and career-long lists?

The single-year list ranks scientists on the citations their work received in one year. The career-long list ranks them on citations across their whole career. Both lists are published every year, and a scientist can be on one, both or neither.

What is the official source of this data?

The rankings come from the science-wide author databases of standardized citation indicators published by Ioannidis et al. in the Elsevier Data Repository, updated every year. TOPSCINET, an independent platform, organises that data by country, year, institute and field, so you can compare and explore it.