In addition to the benefits of academic collaboration with China, the China memorandum also discusses the possible risks associated with these collaborations. Chinese cooperation partners are part of a political system in which politics and economics operate in an integrated manner. Chinese institutions therefore have a clear picture of what they want to 'get' from a collaboration with potential partners. As a result, there is a risk of unwanted knowledge transfer from the Netherlands to China in areas that are important to the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands there is currently little insight into (institutionalised) collaborations between Dutch and Chinese knowledge institutions. The image of that collaboration is fragmented. To estimate any risks as discussed in the China memorandum, it is considered desirable to have that picture.
This study offers an inventory (quick scan) to gain insight into the cooperative relationships that exist between six Dutch knowledge institutions and Chinese knowledge institutions. The six participating Dutch knowledge institutions are: Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Twente University of Technology, Wageningen University, Erasmus University Rotterdam and the University of Groningen.
Source: Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (2020). Verkenning wetenschappelijke samenwerking Nederlanddse en Chinese kennisinstellingen. Rapport in opdracht van het ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap. November 2020.