A decades—long partnership: examining the Cuba–China scientific collaboration

Abstract

This study offers a detailed examination of scientific collaboration between Cuba and China, focusing on research publications in journals indexed in WoS and Scopus between 1990 and 2022. The findings shed light on a remarkable upward trajectory in collaborative efforts between these two nations, showcasing a 30-fold increase in co-authored articles in 2022 compared to 1990. Within this burgeoning landscape of collaboration, the study underscores that the majority of these publications (91.1%) are concentrated in Natural and Health Sciences. It is evident that China has taken the lead in partnering with Cuba in pioneering fields such as Physics & Astronomy, Clinical Medicine, and Biomedical Research. This fact underscores the vital role of this partnership in advancing knowledge frontiers and the practical applications of these disciplines. Furthermore, the study brings to the forefront the impressive growth of the Cuban scientific collaboration network, doubling in size from 1990 to 2022. This development signifies not only the quantity but also the quality of collaborations, reflecting positively on the scientific research endeavors of both countries. The study’s findings not only validate the significance of this collaboration but also offer a glimpse into its promising future, emphasizing the importance of sustained cooperation in addressing complex global challenges and advancing scientific knowledge.