Discourse on the Made in China 2025 Strategy in Germany
Author
Klomfass, Dana
Term
4. term
Publication year
2020
Abstract
This thesis examines how China’s soft power ambitions intersect with the implementation of the Made in China 2025 (MIC 2025) strategy in Germany. The strategy seeks to upgrade Chinese industry and acquire key technologies abroad, triggering increased Chinese investment in Europe and high-profile acquisitions such as KUKA in Germany. Using soft power and techno-nationalism as theoretical lenses and drawing on newspaper coverage, think tank policy reports and surveys, the study analyzes the German debate on MIC 2025 and its implications. The analysis suggests that while successful implementation could potentially enhance China’s image by showcasing technological competence and quality, the strategy was widely framed in the West as threatening and spurred calls for tighter screening and protectionist measures. The KUKA case became emblematic of concerns over technology transfer and strategic dependence. Aware of the negative optics, Chinese officials reduced overt references to MIC 2025 in public rhetoric while continuing to pursue its underlying goals. The thesis thus highlights the tension between China’s soft power aspirations and a techno-nationalist upgrading strategy in the German context.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan Kinas soft power-ambitioner hænger sammen med implementeringen af strategien Made in China 2025 (MIC 2025) i Tyskland. Strategien søger at opgradere Kinas industri og erhverve nøgleteknologier i udlandet, hvilket førte til øgede kinesiske investeringer i Europa og højprofilerede opkøb som KUKA i Tyskland. Med soft power og teknonationalisme som teoretiske rammer og med udgangspunkt i avisdækning, tænketanksrapporter og spørgeundersøgelser analyserer studiet den tyske debat om MIC 2025 og dens implikationer. Analysen peger på, at en vellykket implementering potentielt kunne styrke Kinas image ved at demonstrere teknologisk kompetence og kvalitet, men at strategien i praksis i Vesten ofte blev opfattet som truende og udløste krav om skærpet screening og protektionistiske tiltag. KUKA-sagen blev et symbol på bekymringer om teknologioverførsel og strategisk afhængighed. Som reaktion på den negative opfattelse tonede kinesiske embedsmænd den offentlige brug af betegnelsen MIC 2025 ned, samtidig med at de fortsatte arbejdet mod de samme overordnede mål. Afhandlingen fremhæver dermed spændingen mellem Kinas soft power-ambitioner og en teknonationalistisk opgraderingsstrategi i en tysk kontekst.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]