In January 2022 Freie Universität Berlin appointed a China Advisory Board with the aim of supporting the strategic development of academic cooperation with partner universities in China, with the further objective of serving as a “critical friend” to supervise activities between Freie Universität and its Chinese partners by providing an external perspective.

The China Advisory Board has been called upon to oversee all China-related activities of Freie Universität Berlin. This includes tasks such as providing recommendations to the Executive Board in regards to newly planned, extensive projects, and offering guidance and support in finding solutions in the case of conflicts. This will be achieved through an unbiased examination of planned or existing cooperative projects by means of evaluating the arguments submitted, consulting external experts where necessary, and weighing up the costs, administrative workload, and possible disadvantages involved with the desired result. The recommendations of the China Advisory Board can be made available to a wider audience in the event that they are in the public interest.

Composition of the Advisory Board Members

The members of the advisory board are nominated for a term of office lasting three years. Researchers in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences are to be represented on the board. The China Advisory Board currently includes the following members:

• Prof. Dr. Verena Blechinger-Talcott, Vice President International Affairs (Chair)
• Prof. Dr. Rainer Haag (Chemistry)
• Prof. Dr. Genia Kostka (Sinology)
• Prof. Dr. Heike Krieger (Law)
• Prof. Dr. Alexander Libman (Institute for East European Studies)
• Prof. Dr. Hans van Ess (Sinology, Ludwig Maximilans-Universität)
• Dr. Herbert Grieshop, Director of Division IV: International Affairs
• Ulrich Rössler, Director of Division VI: Research
• Dr. Stefan Rummel, Division IV: International Affairs, Acting Head of the Beijing Office (Secretary of the China Advisory Board)

Meetings

The advisory board will convene once each semester. Otherwise, it shall meet on an ad hoc basis or communicate by means of a circular resolution.