China and Germany are important strategic partners in research and education. The research cooperation of the two countries is based on an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of science and technology from 1978. Since then, the German-Chinese cooperation has increased considerably. Currently, there are more than 1,100 university collaborations. The German scientific institutions such as the Max Planck Society or the Helmholtz Centres work closely with Chinese partners and have their own representative offices or institutions opened in China.
At the political level, the cooperation between the two countries has intensified with regular intergovernmental consultations held since 2011. The German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) has since signed thirteen Memoranda of Understanding on different research topics and on higher education and vocational education cooperation with its Chinese partner ministries.
Given the increasing and complex cooperation between the two countries, Minister Wanka has now presented the China Strategy for coordinating the German-Chinese cooperation in science and research.
"We want to go on a path of strategic cooperation with China, which is not dependent on coincidences and opportunities. We want to take a course together with China, which is characterised by trust and reliability," said Wanka, presenting the strategy during the China Day at the BMBF in Berlin on 28 October 2015.
The Chinese side also appreciates and welcomes the China Strategy 2015-2020 of the BMBF, said Li Xiaosi, Chinese envoy to Germany.
The strategy focuses on fundamental issues such as the creation of a broader China competence in Germany: extended research visits to China and a more profound knowledge about Chinese work culture and language shall foster reliable relationships. This also requires an enhanced framework of cooperation, for example, to share knowledge and questions about intellectual property rights and technology transfer.
Based on the analysis and recommendation conducted by German experts, the BMBF defined nine areas of action for future cooperation with China, which have been specified by a set of 35 measures.
The strategy will also contribute to the implementation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany agreed by President Xi Jinping and Chancellor Merkel in March 2014.
Further information:
- China-Strategy 2015 – 2020 - Executive Summary: Strategic Framework for Cooperation with China in Research, Science and Education (Link as soon as available)
- English News China (29.10.2015): Germany presents China strategy for science cooperation
- New China TV on YouTube: Germany presents China strategy for science cooperation
