At the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, Gao Fu, former director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, issued a critical warning: misinformation, which he terms "inforus," poses a global threat rivaling biological viruses. Drawing from COVID-19 lessons, Gao positioned scientific literacy as humanity’s best defense against this evolving challenge.
"When the U.S. CDC removed avian flu data under political pressure, and preprint platforms amplified baseless claims about HIV sequences in SARS-CoV-2, we saw how quickly science can be silenced or distorted," Gao explained. He likened unchecked misinformation to a mutating pathogen, spreading through society’s "infodemics" and eroding public trust.
Gao's remedy? Strengthening peer-reviewed journals as "truth filters" while promoting accessible science communication. As editor-in-chief of journals like Science Bulletin, he stressed their role in professional discourse but urged scientists to bridge the expert-public gap. Over six years, he authored over 15 books to democratize complex topics.
Beijing’s scientific publishing boom underscores China’s growing influence: 292 English-language sci-tech journals now operate there, contributing to global leadership in high-impact research. Anders Karlsson of Elsevier noted China’s expanding role: "We value partnerships here, where journal production now exceeds the U.S."
Yet Gao emphasized collaborative solutions. "Humans evolved to share sensational stories—combating rumors requires global cooperation," he said, calling for data transparency and cross-border policy alignment. "Real globalization means uniting against biological viruses and 'inforus' alike."
