Recently, the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (ISTIC) released the 2024 Edition of the Chinese Scientific Journal Citation Report (Core Edition). Four journals published by NEFU—Forestry Research (English), Journal of Northeast Forestry University, Plant Research, and Forest Engineering—have again been successfully listed in China’s Core Scientific Journals directory. This recognition highlights the journals’ outstanding academic quality and broad influence, further solidifying their essential position in their respective fields.

According to the *2024 China Scientific Paper Statistics Report* released by the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (ISTIC), 37 Chinese journals indexed by SCI ranked in the top quartile (Q1) for total citations in their respective fields in 2023, and 149 journals ranked in the top quartile (Q1) for impact factor. Forestry Research (English) was among the top quartiles (Q1) in both total citations and impact factor in its field for 2023, demonstrating its leading position in international forestry research.

The China Core Scientific Journals Directory, also known as the Chinese Scientific Paper Source Journal Directory, is a domestic authoritative system for evaluating scientific journals developed by the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (ISTIC). For this selection, ISTIC used a combination of quantitative and qualitative evaluation principles, applying 24 academic indicators to assess factors such as academic performance, impact, and dissemination of journals. From over 10,000 journals nationwide, 2,572 core journals were carefully selected, including 2,165 in natural sciences (167 in English) and 407 in social sciences. Notably, this year, 645 journals submitted new applications. Still, only 56 successfully made it into the core journal list, with a selection rate of just 8.7%, underscoring the rigorous evaluation process and the highly competitive nature of the selection.

Including four journals from NEFU marks another significant milestone in Northeast Forestry University’s journal development efforts. Taking this opportunity, NEFU will continue to strengthen the management and development of its journals, further enhancing their academic quality and impact. These journals will be increasingly important in supporting discipline development, advancing research standards, and promoting academic exchange.