Partnerships under complex conditions
Guideline for partnerships under complex conditions, particularly for collaboration with partners in the People’s Republic of China
On February 19, 2025, the Senate adopted the Guideline for Partnerships under Complex Conditions, particularly for collaboration with partners in the People’s Republic of China.
The aim of this guideline is to explore both the opportunities that international academic exchange offers, which must be preserved, and the potential risks, in order to protect ourselves, our knowledge production, and our critically thinking colleagues from restrictive academic systems. This guideline, therefore, focuses on raising awareness of the risks, challenges, and political instruments involved in collaborating with partners from authoritarian academic systems such as China, particularly in order to provide greater certainty for such interactions. The intended message is explicitly not to prohibit all exchange. This guideline identifies sources of information, outlines options for action, and, where possible, provides recommendations for action, particularly for collaboration with representatives of Chinese universities. It also refers to the relevant offices at the University of Freiburg that can provide guidance and advice on the various aspects of cooperation.