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Principles and general information on co-operation with China

Are you interested in cooperating with partners in the People's Republic of China, would you like to find out about opportunities for cooperation, funding, preparation for a stay or find out more about China as a potential research partner? Here you will find basic and general information on various aspects of co-operation with Chinese partners.

If you have any questions, please contact the China-Competence Service-point directly: (phone: +49 6421 28-26154). We will be happy to advise you and send you any documents relevant to your project.

  • China (competence) as a strategic focus

    Cooperation with China is a strategic focus of the University of Marburg, motivated by the fact that China is not only an important partner for solving global challenges, but also the most important scientific nation in the world alongside the USA. At the same time, cooperation with China poses numerous challenges (e.g. in the area of dual use in light of the civil-military fusion of the People's Republic of China,).

    Management of cooperation follows the principle of de-risking: maximising the benefits of cooperation while minimising the risk. Specifically, the University of Marburg does not draw any general red lines when cooperating with Chinese partners, and endeavours to maintain and expand cooperation, but reviews each cooperation in terms of risks and benefits. Researchers are closely supported in the process of analysing and weighing up risks and have a central point of contact in the form of the China-Competence Service-point, which provides information and advice on all aspects of cooperation with China.

  • Cooperation guidelines

    The principles and procedural rules for the responsible handling of research freedom and research risks at Philipps-Universität Marburg  (document in german) apply:

    ‘In this complex field of tension between benefits and risks, science is committed to the well-being of humanity and the protection of the environment and other - above all constitutionally protected - goods. Scientists must therefore avoid or minimise - direct and indirect - damage to goods worthy of protection as far as possible. They should therefore consider not only the feasibility of research but also its consequences and controllability. Scientists must decide to what extent certain goods are to be protected, insofar as - so far only in rare exceptional cases - the relevant circumstances are not yet regulated by law. In this sense, science is not only subject to legal but also ethical limits.’ [translated from german]

    In the specific case of the People's Republic of China, we are also guided by the Federal Government's China Strategy (document in german) published in July 2023 and recommend that you orientate yourself on fundamental questions such as those from the DFG's information on risks in international collaborations (which are now requested in DFG proposals):

    Please also refer to our information on export controls (page in german) to ensure that all research activities are in line with applicable foreign trade regulations.

    Object of research:

    ► Are there any dependencies on the partner country in the research field and if so, which ones? Are there alternative cooperation partners?

    ► Is there a possibility that the results obtained or the knowledge generated could be misused by third parties?

    ► Are there any objectives beyond the project that are being pursued by the partner(s)? For what purposes will the results possibly be used?

    Research conditions:

    ► Does the partner institute conduct research for military or comparable purposes?

    ► Is systematic tapping of research data or experience from the research work conceivable or to be expected in view of the political constitution of the partner country?

    ► Are there circumstances that prevent the conclusion of a written agreement on the rights and obligations of the project participants and on the implementation of the joint project?

    ► Are there reasons to assume that a written agreement would have no legal effect?

    ► Is it possible that there are restrictions with regard to academic freedom, for example with regard to the publication of project results?

    The DFG is aware that in certain cases some of the questions listed here cannot be answered or can only be answered with considerable effort. We are happy to provide you with individual support to help you in fulfilling your due diligence in the best possible way. Below you will find a collection of handouts, guidelines and key questions recently published by various organisations.

    In addition, there are now numerous handouts and guidelines from various organisations in the German scientific community, both specifically on cooperation with China and on international cooperation in general, the most important of which are listed below in chronological order.

    China-related guidelines:

    DAAD recommendation paper "Realistically shaping scientific cooperation with China" (2024).

    Recommendations for cooperation with China of the Max Planck Society (2023, document in german)

    BMBF-funded guidelines for research and development-related data laws of the People's Republic of China (2022, document in german)

    Guidelines for cooperation with China of the German Rectors' Conference, HRK (2020, website in german)

    The Association of China Centres at German Universities (VCdH) has created a database with documents on the categories, China Competence, China in the World and Strategies & Guidelines. The database is constantly being updated with new materials and information.

    Guidelines and recommendations on risks in international co-operations:
    Not explicitly related to the PR China, but very helpful for the conscious preparation of research co-operations.

    EU concept for improving economic security with recommendations for measures to improve the security of research (2024, document in german)

    Guidelines for Secure International Cooperation of the University of Hamburg (2023)

    Recommendations of the joint scientific commission of the DFG and Leopoldina regarding security-relevant research and its challenges (2022, document in german)

    Publication of the EU Commission ‘Tackling R&I foreign interference’ (2022)

    DAAD ‘KIWi Kompass’: No red lines - scientific cooperation under complex framework conditions (2020)

    HRK handout ‘Risk management of cooperation agreements for joint study and doctoral programmes with foreign partner universities’ (2024, document in german)

    Export control:
    Manual ‘Export Control and Academia’ of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (2022, document in german)

  • General Information about China 

    There are many ways to stay informed about current developments in the PR China. A first contact point for objective reporting is the Mercator Institute for China Studies (merics). There you will find current analyses and studies on socio-political and higher education policy issues and announcements relating to the merics network of experts.

    The Leiden Asia Centre is recognised beyond the borders of the Netherlands as an expert centre for China issues. Here you will find extensive literature as well as podcasts and videos on currently relevant China topics.

    The EuroHub4Sino (European Hub for Contemporary China) is an association of several universities and think tanks and a Horizon Europe-funded project. The website contains publications and analyses on various China-related topics as well as a free newsletter.

     China.Table, is a specialised newsletter, available for a small, monthly fee, from Table.Media, which primarily provides information on the areas of politics, business and science in connection with China.

    Chinapolitan Newsletter, is a free newsletter that provides weekly information on important news from and about China, China jobs of German companies and events.

    Chinahirn is a free newsletter by the German journalist Wolfgang Hirn, which is divided into four sections and provides information about the events of the past week.

    The South China Morning Post provides a  page to learn about the latest developments and trends in the six key industry sectors, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, robotics, aerospace and biomedicine, for China's economic future. 

    The Decoding China website offers a ‘dictionary’ to explain the Chinese understanding of key terms in international relations and development cooperation. 

    Podcasts:

    On the website of the Bavarian University Center for China (BayCHINA) you will find an extensive list of exciting and informative podcasts on the topic of China.

    Another Podcast recommendation is the BBC production “China and the World”, which has currently three episodes.