Legal Issues in Scientific Cooperation with China (online 2/2)

Cooperating with China offers great opportunities – but also legal challenges. Have you ever wondered:

• How can I protect intellectual property when data is transferred across borders?
• What are the “red lines” regarding surveys, state secrets, or dual-use technologies?

This workshop explains how the Chinese legal system works, dispels common misconceptions about law in China, and analyses selected Smart Court cases, data security assessments, and trademark disputes.

The goal is to build a shared understanding of the legal particularities of cooperation, ensure appropriate standards, and develop processes to navigate China-specific legal challenges confidently and safely.

Module Design and Delivery

Dr Daniel Sprick is a Research Associate at the Chair of Chinese Legal Culture, University of Cologne. His research covers contemporary Chinese criminal law, judicial reforms, and, more recently, the regulation of artificial intelligence as well as the inter- and transnational dimensions of Chinese law. He received the prestigious Hanenburg-Yntema Prize for his diploma thesis on Chinese competition law.

Dr Sprick regularly teaches courses on traditional Chinese law, Chinese competition and antitrust law, China and international economic law, as well as Chinese economic crime and business criminal law.

He has provided advisory services to, among others, the European Parliament and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on investor-state dispute settlement, China’s international commercial courts, and China’s approach to human rights issues.

Online Format

This module will be delivered online in two sessions:

• Wednesday, 14 January 2026, 09:00–12:00
• Thursday, 15 January 2026, 09:00–12:00

We aim to maintain the interactivity of our in-person workshops in this online format. Participants are therefore encouraged to take an active part, using both microphone and camera throughout the sessions.

Using Zoom and Miro, we will provide text-based and visual materials to work through together in discussions, group exercises, surveys, and other interactive activities.

Even online, your direct feedback is essential. Please use the chat and emoticon reactions (e.g., “raise hand”) to signal questions or comments.

The workshop will take place in English.

Registration required.

You can register via the “Registration” menu on the website.