2026 China New Development Awards

See the winning books

On June 17, 2026, the Springer Nature China New Development Awards (CNDA) honored ten outstanding books published by Springer Nature, recognized for their contributions to sustainable development research and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). These award-winning works reflect the breadth and impact of scholarly excellence in China, addressing critical global challenges across fields such as artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability, energy, governance, economics, and social development. Together, they demonstrate how research can drive innovation, inform policy, and support more inclusive and sustainable pathways for societies worldwide.

Held alongside the awards, the New Development Forum centers on the theme “Partnerships in Practice: Rethinking Collaboration in the Age of Complex Challenges.” Bringing together researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, the forum explores how collaborative approaches can better respond to interconnected issues ranging from climate change to digital transformation. It highlights the importance of cross-sector and international cooperation in translating knowledge into real-world solutions. 

Meet the 2026 Award Winners.

2026 Goal in Focus: SDG 17 Partnerships for Sustainable Development Goals

Panel Discussion: “Partnerships in Practice: Rethinking Collaboration in the Age of Complex Challenges” 

This year’s Springer Nature New Development Forum convenes leading Chinese scholars and experts to examine how partnerships can address complex global challenges. Featuring an opening by Arnout Jacobs and a panel moderated by Nicola Jones, the discussion explores “Partnerships in Practice” across disciplines including policy, science, urban planning, and education.  

Key themes include China’s collaborative model, strengthening global research connections, translating knowledge into real-world impact, and overcoming barriers such as disciplinary silos and language gaps.  

The forum highlights the critical role of inclusive, cross-sector collaboration—aligned with SDG17—in delivering sustainable solutions for the future.

The panelists include:

  • Binlei Gong, School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University 

  • Xin Li, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences 

  • Shuran Li, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University 

  • Wenhao Wu, China Society for Hydropower Engineering 

  • Daojiong Zha, School of International Studies and the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development, Peking University 

  • Zhou Zhong, School of Education, Tsinghua University

Springer Nature’s latest publications showcase China’s contributions to digital learning, teacher training, and rural education access, reinforcing lifelong learning and reducing disparities. 

Below are selected titles from leading China-based researchers.