Academic freedom, national security, and academic collaboration with China

The current political environment within the People’s Republic of China has alerted academic and policy actors within liberal democracies to the potential risks of collaboration with the autocratic party-state. Stakeholders in countries such as the UK and Germany have debated whether and to what extent we should cooperate with Chinese counterparts, especially against the background of academic freedom and national security concerns. This article aims to untangle some of the most contentious discussion points and arguments advanced by different actors, summarising recent political developments in China, outlining core points of contention, and articulating some options for actions and responses.