On 5 December 2025, the Sino-German Agricultural Centre (DCZ) organized a meeting with representatives from the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Regional Identity (BMLEH) and the agricultural research institutes in its portfolio to discuss the future of agricultural research cooperation with China in a changing policy context.
Participants highlighted the scientific benefits of collaboration, including access to state-of-the-art research, China’s climatic and geographic diversity, well-trained research teams, and strong laboratory and field infrastructures. Joint projects were seen as an opportunity to work on globally important issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and food security.
The discussion also addressed several challenges, including the need to carefully vet potential partners, navigate cultural differences, and manage data exchange under China’s updated data security and anti-espionage laws. Participants noted the importance of balancing political frameworks with academic freedom.
The meeting concluded that scientific cooperation with China remains strategically important. Germany can increasingly learn from China’s research capacities, but further exchange on best practices is needed to manage risks and ensure reciprocity in future joint projects.
