The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in China

China has opened up to the world and entered the international economic and political stage. These gradual but deep-rooted changes in industry and society, and the social upheaval that has followed, have posed a challenge to the ability of the Chinese political community to shape developments, but also to industrial nations such as Germany, who must learn to deal with China's new role in global politics.

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's aim in China is to support the reform process at all levels, working together with Chinese partners on a basis of trust, and to deepen relations between Germany / Europe and China for the benefit of both sides and in the interests of a just and peaceful international order.

The rule of law, human rights, political reform, the social and environmental dimensions of the market economy, sustainable development, trade unionism and international politics and security in the age of globalisation are therefore focal issues in the political and technical dialogue that the FES is conducting in China together with our partners and German experts and those who hold positions in the political landscape, government, academic life and civil society. On the Chinese side, this dialogue has drawn a broad spectrum of people from government agencies, the Communist Party of China, the trade unions, universities and research establishments and public associations.

The FES began working with Chinese institutions back in the days when Deng Xiaoping initiated the reforms which have led to a more open China. In the mid-eighties the Communist Party of China and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung agreed to cooperate in stimulating a continuous exchange of public policy opinion and experience between China and the Federal Republic of Germany. The FES sees its contribution in China as an integral component of growing bilateral relations between a range of institutions in Germany and China. This applies in particular to government cooperation (human rights dialogue as a complement to dialogue between the two countries on the rule of law), cooperation between political parties and between trade unions. The latter, notably activities undertaken jointly with IG Metall (metalworkers) and IG Bergbau, Energie und Chemie (mining, energy and chemicals), complement relations between the Confederation of German Trade Unions, its affiliates and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions.