Germany’s Education Minister has voiced concerns about potential scientific espionage from Chinese students studying under full state scholarships in the country. Meanwhile, Beijing believes Germany’s tougher new approach in managing its relationship with China would only increase “man-made risks” and “exacerbate divisions” in the world.
Germany’s Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger is leading a push to re-evaluate student exchange practices with China to avoid placing national security or intellectual property rights at risk. The minister expressed her apprehension over potential scientific espionage threats stemming from Chinese students studying in Germany under full state scholarships.
This has led to an urgent call for overhauling student exchange procedures between Germany and China. The urgency underscored the need for robust regulations and heightened vigilance to protect intellectual property rights and prevent unauthorized information transfer.
Meanwhile, Agence France Presse reported that Beijing sees Germany’s tougher new approach in managing its relationship with China would only increase “man-made risks” and “exacerbate divisions” in the world.
“We believe that competition and protectionism in the name of ‘de-risking’ and reducing dependence entirely securitises and politicises normal cooperation,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular press briefing.
German higher education, renowned for its quality, has attracted an increasing number of Chinese students on full state scholarships. Traditionally, this trend has been celebrated as an indicator of the strong bilateral ties and the excellence of German higher education. The country remains to be a sought-after destination for international students with its world-leading research institutions and pioneering technology. However, recent developments have sparked concerns over the genuine motives of some of these scholars.
Scientific espionage is a long-standing concern worldwide. The concern is foreign students, particularly those under government-funded scholarships, might be abroad to collect valuable scientific and technological insights for their home country.
