Navigating Challenges: Foreign Researchers in an Authoritarian China
Foreign researchers in China face tightening restrictions due to increased regulations and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a significant decrease in their numbers. Although many still feel welcomed, concerns regarding data laws and the overall environment prevail, causing uncertainty about future collaboration opportunities in the country.
Recent developments concerning foreign researchers in China have prompted serious concerns about increasing restrictions within the country. Following Donald Trump’s potential second term as US President, fears are growing regarding the revival of the China Initiative, an effort to combat scientific espionage that previously led to legal actions against scientists. Although foreign researchers have not faced a direct campaign like this, they are now operating under more stringent regulations following the COVID-19 pandemic, including new data laws and other restrictions.
An anonymous overseas researcher in Beijing commented, “There used to be a lot more foreigners, including foreign scientists, in China before COVID.” Although this researcher has a rewarding position that has encouraged them to stay, many colleagues have departed in recent years. Current estimates suggest there are between 5,000 to 10,000 foreign researchers with a PhD in China. This figure significantly pales in comparison to the over 100,000 foreign scholars estimated to be in the United States.
The decrease in the number of foreign researchers is partly attributable to the Chinese government’s stringent pandemic measures, which included preventing re-entry for foreigners who had left the country and imposing strict lockdowns in 2022. Halldór Berg Harðarson, who formerly operated Euraxess in Beijing, remarked, “The way that they dealt with it from the beginning was not very conducive to keeping foreign talent.” Survey data indicated that 40-50% of foreign academics departed China by autumn 2022 compared to pre-pandemic figures.
The pandemic has created a tense atmosphere for foreign researchers, as described by another anonymous academic in southern China who reported hostility from locals due to misconceptions about coronavirus transmission. Furthermore, Kārlis Rokpelnis, an experienced social scientist, asserted that the pandemic significantly highlighted the extent of control exercised by the Chinese state over residents and visitors.
In addition to pandemic-related challenges, restrictive data laws implemented over the last decade have heightened scrutiny regarding researchers’ ability to share information beyond China. Annina Lattu, working at Peking University, noted that, “China’s laws, I would say, sit on the strictest and most ambiguous end of the spectrum.” Such laws have created uncertainties which have hindered collaborative research projects due to misunderstandings around data sharing regulations.
China’s Data Security Law necessitates formal clearance for exporting certain information labeled as “important,” with ambiguity surrounding what this designation includes. While Rokpelnis indicated that these laws have primarily impacted research involving medical data, he acknowledged, “I haven’t met anyone who said, ‘Oh, I wasn’t able to do my experiment.’”
Reflecting on the atmosphere within research institutions, some facilities have displayed notices warning about foreign spies, evoking mixed feelings among foreign academics. Despite the existence of these warnings, one researcher reflected on the relative openness of Chinese companies towards intellectual property matters compared to counterparts in the UK, noting, “I haven’t felt anything about people accusing me of espionage.”
Overall, foreign researchers in China navigate a complex landscape marked by restrictive measures and heightened scrutiny. While the environment remains welcoming for some, the challenges posed by stringent regulations and geopolitical tensions raise significant questions about the future of international academic cooperation within China.
Foreign researchers in China are facing a growing array of challenges due to tightening regulations and an increasingly authoritarian atmosphere, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. While the number of foreign researchers has significantly decreased, those who remain report mixed experiences, balancing rewarding professional opportunities with an environment that raises concerns over data laws and perceived hostilities. The implications of these changes will likely influence the landscape of international research collaboration in the region moving forward.
Original Source: www.nature.com
