From June 29 to July 3, 2026, the 7th Open Access Workshop concluded successfully at Peking University Library in Beijing. Hosted by the National Science and Technology Library (NSTL) and co-organized by the National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NSLC) and Peking University Library, the event gathered scholars and practitioners across open science fields. Xu Jing, Director, National Science and Technology Library (NSTL), and Chu Xiaobo, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Committee of Peking University and Vice President of Peking University, attended the opening ceremony and delivered keynote remarks. The opening session was chaired by Zhang Zhixiong, Deputy Director, NSLC.
In his speech, Xu Jing pointed out that the global open science landscape is undergoing profound shifts, with a brand-new open science ecosystem taking shape at an accelerated pace. Guided by national strategic priorities, NSTL has consistently advanced open science practices, deepened international exchanges, and shared China’s practical experience with the global community. He voiced his expectation that this workshop would integrate high-quality resources from home and abroad, galvanize joint momentum within the library and scholarly communication sector, and deliver more substantial and effective progress in open access development. Such efforts will further support China’s pursuit of greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology as well as high-quality innovation-driven development.
Chu Xiaobo stressed that open science has become an irreversible global trend in academic communication. In response to national strategic deployment, Peking University has continuously explored open access models and taken the lead in joint development and shared utilization of university academic resources. He noted that the workshop featured both forward-looking visions and practice-focused agendas, and hoped experts from diverse sectors could reach consensus and explore a localized Chinese pathway for open science implementation. Peking University stands ready to collaborate with all peers to build a more open, efficient and resilient scholarly communication ecosystem.
A total of 17 senior open access experts from China and overseas delivered strategic and thematic presentations at the workshop. Fifty core professionals from research institutions including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China Metallurgical Information and Standardization Institute, as well as library administrators and functional staff from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, Wuhan University, Renmin University of China and other universities were invited to participate.
The program covered core themes including open science strategy and planning, open access and resource supply, international open access practices, and targeted thematic dialogues. Through keynote lectures, case studies, roundtable exchanges, hands-on training and expert reviews, participants conducted in-depth discussions on viable paths for advancing open access.
During the strategic session, four experts delivered respective presentations: Liu Xiwen, Professor at NSLC; Chen Jianlong, Librarian, Peking University Library; Zhang Dongrong, Deputy Director of the Strategic Initiatives Division, NSTL; and Wang Yizhou, Professor at Peking University School of Computer Science. Their talks focused on infrastructure development for AI for Science and open science, open access information flows, NSTL’s open access initiatives, and embodied cognition in open artificial intelligence.
The thematic session featured presentations and interactive discussions by a lineup of Chinese and international experts: Qian Li, Deputy Director, NSLC; Bie Liqian, Deputy Librarian, Peking University Library; Jon Shaw, University Librarian, Vanderbilt University; Colleen Campbell, Executive Director, OA Forward, Max Planck Society; Santhosh KV, Associate Dean for Technology Management and Humanities, Manipal Academy of Higher Education; Kathleen Shearer, Executive Director, Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR); Lautaro Matas, Technical Director, LA Referencia; Zhao Yan, Research Librarian, Institute for the History of Natural Sciences, CAS; Ren Huiling, Director of the Resource Development Department, NSTL; and Chen Juan, Deputy Librarian, Xiamen University Library, among others.
Li Pu, Deputy Director, NSTL, delivered the closing summary. Looking back on the seven editions of the Open Access Workshop, he highlighted that amid the evolving scientific paradigm, libraries ought to take on a central role in scholarly communication and knowledge dissemination. He called on libraries to partner with the broader research community to co-design a next-generation open access ecosystem, and forge new dimensions of professional influence and social value for library institutions.
Combining top-down strategic insights with down-to-earth thematic exchanges, the workshop enabled systematic sharing of cutting-edge global open access trends and indigenous domestic practices. It helped participants upgrade theoretical literacy and practical capabilities, consolidated collaborative ties between international organizations and domestic stakeholders, as well as between national specialized libraries and university libraries. The event also laid a solid talent training foundation and generated sustainable impetus for the long-term advancement of open access in China.