Dou Xiankang, President of the NSFC visits Bonn
Dou Xiankang, President of the NSFC visits Bonn
Prof. Dr. Katja Becker, President of the DFG, and Prof. Dou Xiankang, President of the NSFC
© DFG
Prof. Dr. Katja Becker, President of the DFG, and Prof. Dou Xiankang, President of the NSFC
© DFG
(07.11.23) In the course of his journey to Europe which included stays in France, Germany and Switzerland, Prof. Dou Xiankang, President of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), visited the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) Head Office in Bonn in mid-October.
He was welcomed by his counterpart, Prof. Dr. Katja Becker, President of the DFG. They spoke about current challenges, future bilateral relations between the two funding organisations as well as the jointly operated Sino-German Center for Research Promotion (SGC) in Beijing. The heads of the two funding organisations agreed that the current Chinese legislation on data security represents a major challenge for joint research funding activities. The presidents stressed the efforts made both on the Chinese and the German side to find sustainable and timely solutions to these issues.
Dou Xiankang, President of the NSFC visits Bonn
Discussion at the DFG Head Office
© DFG
Discussion at the DFG Head Office
© DFG
On the topic of future scientific cooperation opportunities, Prof. Dr. Becker and Prof. Dou talked about specific funding lines and joint calls between DFG and NSFC as well as the planned strategic activities of the SGC. Prof. Dou informed his counterpart about the restructuring within the Chinese scientific system and the resulting strengthening of the role of the NSFC. He emphasised the continued importance of Sino-German cooperation and promised his full support in overcoming the current obstacles.
The following day, Prof. Dou met with Dr. Heide Ahrens, Secretary General of the DFG. They continued the exchange on bilateral cooperation and also touched upon the topic of Sino- European cooperation.
Dou Xiankang, President of the NSFC visits Bonn
Prof. Dr. Becker and Prof. Dou with representatives of the NSFC, DFG and the Science Division of the Chinese Embassy.
© DFG
Prof. Dr. Becker and Prof. Dou with representatives of the NSFC, DFG and the Science Division of the Chinese Embassy.
© DFG
During their visit to Bonn, the Chinese delegation also met with the Rector of Bonn University, Prof. Michael Hoch, and the Deputy Secretary General of the Humboldt Foundation, Dr. Thomas Hesse, as well as representatives of the Science Europe Governing Board.
Prof. Dou’s visit to Bonn was the inaugural visit of the NSFC President to Germany. Prof. Dr. Becker’s reciprocal visit to Beijing is planned for 2024.