With the 'Modern China Research II' funding guideline published today, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) aims to further expand independent China expertise in Germany.

Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger explains:

'Sound and independent China expertise is essential in order to be able to safeguard and assert German interests in the face of increasing systemic rivalry with China. We need to better understand China's current social, domestic and foreign policy developments and strategies. With our new funding guideline, we are making an important contribution to this by providing targeted support for relevant research projects. The results of the funded projects should contribute to informed cooperation decisions by German science stakeholders. This is because an even more critical weighing up of risks and benefits is necessary when cooperating with China, especially in science and universities.'

The guideline aimed at funding research on current political, scientific and social developments in the People's Republic of China with high relevance for Germany and Europe serves to develop new findings on strategies, policies and their implementation relevant to Germany as well as current social issues in China. Funding is provided for research projects that address social, domestic and foreign policy strategies and developments in China. The planned total volume is up to 5 million euros, of which projects with a duration of generally 4 years are to be funded. The funding guideline thus contributes to the expansion of independent China expertise in Germany and therefore to the implementation of the German government's China strategy.

Source: BMBF