The death of three prominent young scientists from top Chinese universities in recent months has again put the country’s ambitious science goals and ruthless academic system under scrutiny.
While none of their institutions has issued any official statement about the deaths, the cases have once again prompted criticism of China’s flawed talent system, which is characterised by cutthroat competition that can push young academics to the limits.
Issues within China’s academic system include an “up or out” tenure race, dwindling chances to get funding and a crushing workload.
Guo Yingjian, professor of English at Renmin University of China in Beijing, said “such a high number of cases involving the untimely deaths of young scholars” was not evident in other countries.
As China’s drive for innovation and self-reliance shifts into high gear amid the country’s tech competition with the US, experts said revamping its ecosystem had become a national priority that overlooked the well-being of people within it.
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