The construction of an independent knowledge system in publishing science is crucial to the advancement of this field in China during the new era. This article reviews the significant events in the development of this knowledge system during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, focusing on three main aspects: the collaborative development of publishing disciplines, the academic conferences, and the publication of academic works and textbooks. Looking forward, future research should focus more on the foundational theories of publishing, vibrant publishing practices, and the impact of emerging technologies such as AI. A discipline is a relatively independent knowledge system formed by the categorization of knowledge and is central to academic development. The core of discipline construction lies in the systematic construction of knowledge within that field. The independent construction of the publishing knowledge system reflects the discipline’s autonomy and originality, offering theoretical support and paradigm guidance for its development. It directly affects the maturity and level of the discipline. Since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan, the construction of an independent publishing knowledge system has become a priority, supporting the development of philosophy and social sciences in China, which emphasizes independent knowledge production, dissemination, and inheritance. The key events of the 14th Five-Year period include the launch of collaborative work between universities and institutions in the development of publishing science, academic workshops, and the publication of academic works. These efforts have helped strengthen China’s publishing discipline, as demonstrated by the establishment of collaborative frameworks among universities and publishing agencies, and by the hosting of a series of academic conferences and workshops that have facilitated knowledge exchange and international dialogue. The achievements of this period can be summarized into three major areas: the enhancement of national identity, the strengthening of disciplinary independence, and the improvement of the discipline’s theoretical relevance. First, the national identity of publishing science has been reinforced, with a focus on localizing and innovating within Chinese publishing practices, avoiding Western-centric theories. Second, the independence of the discipline has been significantly strengthened through academic advancements, including the establishment of publishing science as a distinct academic discipline and the creation of a specialized knowledge system. Finally, the theoretical relevance of publishing science has evolved to better address contemporary challenges, especially the impact of digital and AI technologies on publishing processes and industry practices. Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan, publishing science will continue to advance along the lines of localization, systematization, and modernization. The field will further develop foundational theories, respond to emerging industry demands, and explore the implications of new technologies for the discipline’s knowledge system. This period is expected to bring significant advancements in the discipline’s ability to address both practical and theoretical issues in the context of modern digital publishing.