University bosses call for more collaboration with China

The vice-chancellors of four of Sweden’s largest universities are warning that Europe could end up “a scientific backwater” unless it deepens its collaboration with China, writes Becky Waterton for The Local.

The vice-chancellors called for Sweden to strengthen its academic ties with China in a joint opinion piece in Svenska Dagbladet. China’s investments in research and development in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum technology and renewable energy have, the vice-chancellors argued, led to China catching up to the United States when it comes to technological research.

“If collaboration with China does not develop in specific areas, Europe risks its economic development, long-term security and could end up a scientific backwater,” they wrote. They added that there are possible risks with collaborating with China, but that there are some “neutral areas” like sustainable technology where these risks could be avoided.
Full report on The Local site