Germany’s education minister called for a review of student exchange policies with China on Saturday, citing an increased risk of scientific espionage presented by Chinese students studying in Germany on full state scholarships.
“China is becoming more competitive and a systemic rival in the domain of science and research”, Bettina Stark-Watzinger said in an interview published Saturday by Mediengruppe Bayern.
The minister applauded the decision of the Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) in Bavaria, which routinely collaborates with German industry on research initiatives, to no longer admit Chinese students whose entire funding comes from the China Scholarship Council (CSC), a governmental entity.
According to recent reports, beneficiaries of these scholarships must take a loyalty oath to the Chinese state or face legal action.
Stark-Watzinger praised the German university’s decision, saying it was motivated by the realization that the CSC scholarship recipients’ freedom of opinion and scientific freedom, which are anchored in German Basic Law, cannot be fully exercised due to the conditions of their scholarships, and there is also an increased risk of scientific espionage.
“The decision by FAU should prompt other institutions to reconsider their terms of cooperation with the CSC”, she said.
Germany tightened its stance towards China in mid-July, unveiling a 64-page policy in response to a more assertive China, eliciting criticism from the United States.
The paper, which covers security policy as well as economic and scientific collaboration, was the result of months of debate inside the German government about Germany’s approach to China.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Thursday that Berlin had reacted to a China that has changed and become more assertive and that his government aimed to lessen Germany’s economic dependency on Beijing in vital areas.
According to Beijing, the new strategy will create man-made risks and exacerbate divisions around the world.
Berlin’s tougher stance has alarmed German business, which has become increasingly reliant on China.
In recent months, corporate behemoths such as Volkswagen and Siemens have revealed growth strategies that mainly rely on the Chinese market.
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