Germany wants independent China experts as concerns about Confucius Institutes and Beijing’s influence over universities grows
- Berlin says it is still keen to engage, but does not want to rely on the Chinese-funded institutes for expertise
- Angela Merkel has been a leading supporter of engagement, but the elections later this year could see a shift in Berlin’s stance
Germany is building up its own knowledge base about China as it seeks to diminish Beijing’s influence over its universities.
The education ministry announced on Tuesday that it was investing €24 million (US$28.4 million) in a programme running between 2017 and 2024 to strengthen “independent China competence” in its universities and research institutes.
The aim of the project is to support science and research cooperation with China that is “based on European values”, according to a statement from the education ministry.
Anja Karliczek, the education minister, said the country still wanted to engage with China and needs more talents who understand Chinese culture, language, society and history.
But she added such efforts must be conducted independently by Germany, and called on universities to cut off cooperation with the Confucius Institutes, a state-funded educational partnership that offers courses in Chinese language and culture.
“I do not want the Chinese government to influence our universities and our society,” Karliczek said. “We have left too much room for the Confucius Institutes and done too little to build up independent competence in China in Germany.”