Collaboration Across Borders

The Palaeontologia Sinica (Zhongguo gushengwu zhi 中国古生物志) established in 1922 by the Geological Survey of China, was among the earliest Chinese scientific journals to gain global recognition. This study utilizes Swedish archives to unveil a little-known history of transnational collaborative publishing behind this journal. In order to promote the development of Chinese palaeontology, Chinese and Swedish scholars adopted a collaborative model in which the Swedish side provided funding, the specimens were shared equally between the two parties, and the results were published in Chinese journals. This collaboration also led to the establishment of two publishing funds, the “Beijing Fund” and the “Swedish Fund”, which ultimately facilitated the launch of Palaeontologia Sinica. However, when both funds had become depleted, and the publication faced a financial crisis, disagreements over the use of funds arose between the two sides. These differences were further exacerbated by a series of contingent events, which led to a conflict. Ultimately this conflict was mediated only after Ding Wenjiang (丁文江) appealed directly to the Swedish Crown Prince. Once the fundamental disputes had been resolved, scholars from both countries adhered to the spirit of the contract and mutual trust, making compromises to reduce costs and expedite the publication of the Swedish results. They jointly devised a new plan covering funding, printing and distribution. The founding and transnational publication of Palaeontologia Sinica not only showcased the foresight and wisdom of Ding Wenjiang, J. G. Andersson and Weng Wenhao (翁文灏) in advancing science but also reflected Chinese scholars's efforts to safeguard scientific interests and the spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation and trust between Chinese and Swedish scientists.