As a global player in science, the People’s Republic of China is one of the most important partner countries for research collaborations with German universities and research organisations. But it is also increasingly a competitor and rival. The environment for cooperation is becoming ever more challenging. It is governed by very complex framework conditions, which affect all levels of cooperation with China.

The China Orientation aims at rising awareness across the board about the challenges and issues involved and to support German science in its cooperation activities with China, to critically review areas of research where cooperation with China is still possible, and to strengthen the ability of all partners involved to act responsibly.

Framework for successful cooperation

The China Orientation activities bring together the knowledge about the prerequisites for successful cooperation with China and about specific scientific, innovation and education policy-related topics. They enable the creation of a well-founded, up-to-date knowledge base which can contribute to more conscious and better informed actions and which can connect relevant stakeholders from science and higher education. Such a knowledge base enables better exchange of information and the sharing of best practices between the stakeholders. It can create synergies, provide information and raise awareness about sensitive issues.

The BMBF covers a broad range of topics as part of its efforts to gather and provide guidance on cooperation with China. Further information on some of these topics and links to specific points of contact are provided below.

Export control in the science system and handling of dual-use goods

Export control is a topic of increasing importance for universities and research institutions. Since the relevant laws in Germany and Europe are amended and revised on a regular basis, it is important for all stakeholders to know the current legal provisions and the impact these may have on their work. On its website, the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) provides several publications which are mostly directed at researchers and other members of universities and research institutions. The EU Commission has also published guidance on the handling of dual-use goods. It deals with the question of how compliance can be achieved in science and higher education. The German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina have established a joint committee on handling security-related research. The committee recommends establishing commissions to look into the ethical aspects of security-related research at the relevant institutions.

Further information can be found at:

BAFA, 2020: Export Control in Science & Research

BDI e.V. and Bertelsmann Stiftung: Globalisation scenarios | Challenges and responses from the perspective of German business (English version)

EU Commission, 2021: Commission Recommendation on internal compliance programmes for controls of research involving dual-use items

DFG and Leopoldina: Joint Committee on the Handling of Security-Relevant Research

Dealing with Chinese data laws

Cooperation with Chinese partners poses great and often rapidly changing challenges for German universities and research institutions. This applies especially to Chinese law where significant changes have occurred over the past few years (e.g. Personal Information Protection Law, Data Security Law, Administration of Scientific Data). These changes can have a profound impact on research collaborations.

The BMBF is therefore providing the German research community with a guide (in German) to the current legal situation in the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The 14^th Five-Year Plan of the People’s Republic of China and its implications for German-Chinese cooperation

On 11 March 2021, the 14^th Five-Year Plan of the People’s Republic of China was formally adopted. Like its predecessors, the plan sets mostly economic and socio-political goals. The Five-Year Plans are taken as guidance and orientation by all subordinate political levels and even by many individuals. This means that the adoption of a Five-Year Plan is followed by individual plans, support programmes, funding tools, administrative regulations, etc. which build on and are inspired by the overarching plan. It is therefore essential to take a close look at the current 14^th Five-Year Plan in order to recognise the possibilities and opportunities for cooperation with China early on and to better understand the strategic goals of the People’s Republic.

The 14^th Five-Year Plan lists seven future-oriented technology fields China is going to invest in more heavily: next-generation artificial intelligence; quantum information technology; integrated circuits; brain research and neural networks; genetics and biotechnology; clinical medicine and health; and exploration of outer space, the deep earth, the deep sea and the polar regions.

Further information is available for example here:

• Short analysis by MERICS, 9 April 2021, China’s 14^th Five-Year Plan – strengthening the domestic base to become a superpower.
• English translation by the Center for Security and Emerging Technology, 13 May 2021, Outline of the People’s Republic of China’s 14^th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives for 2035

Security architecture

With regard to cyber criminality and industrial espionage it is true to say that the question is no longer whether something will happen, but when. It is also true that the knowledge of today is the business of tomorrow. Against this backdrop, protecting science at universities is becoming even more important. Contact points such as the Länder agencies for economic security offer support with information programmes and initial advice on security strategies. Establishing an information security management system (ISMS) according to ISO/IEC 27001 is an important step.

• Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (the German federal domestic intelligence service): Economic and scientific security
  
• Federal Office for Information Security (BSI): ISO 27001 Certification on the basis of IT baseline protection
  
• Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI): Guide to protecting against scientific espionage by foreign intelligence agencies and competitors (only available in German)
  
  
• Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law: Industrial espionage in Germany and Europe by foreign intelligence agencies and competitors (only available in German)