Chinese Academy of Science Journal Ranking System (2015–2023)

Abstract

This work examines China's mainstream journal ranking system from the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), including its history, recent reforms, and current operation, with a particular focus on Physics of Fluids. Using official statistics, this paper analyzes the Physics of Fluids standings in the CAS system from 2015 to 2023. During these years, Physics of Fluids experienced a significant increase in both popularity and impact. Meanwhile, the CAS system underwent substantial reforms, including the newly proposed Advanced edition, which universally boosted fluids journal academic weights in China. Most notably, the brand-new Field Normalized Citation Success Index (期刊超越指数 or FNCSI) offered a new lens through which to assess academic journal impact. Statistics reveal that Physics of Fluids is in a promising position to become the fourth Tier 1 fluids journal to enter any of CAS's Major Categories (after the Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, Nuclear Fusion, and Plasma Sources Sciences and Technology) and the first-ever non-review-only Tier 1 fluids journal to enter the Engineering and Technology (工程技术 E&T) Major Category. Finally, this paper suggests several directions for Physics of Fluids to direct future endeavors as it enjoys heightening popularity in China.