Partners

CAFIU was established in 1981 and has been the FES’s contractual partner in Beijing since 1986.

Members and supporters of the Association include the Communist Party of China (CPC) and other political parties, as well as civil organisations, prominent public figures and academics. The goal of the Association is international dialogue and exchange of experiences in order to foster deeper mutual understanding and friendship between political parties, civil-society-related research institutions and international organisations on a non-governmental level. Currently, CAFIU is cooperating with more than 250 organisations in 110 countries. CAFIU has the status of consultant to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), just like the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. The cooperation between FES and CAFIU is based mainly on joint programmes. CAFIU is also a partner for FES in establishing occasional cooperation with other Chinese institutions. Together with CAFIU, FES is one of the implementational organisations to conduct the German-Chinese dialogue on human rights. This dialogue started in 1999 and also involves the Chinese Foundation for the Development of Human Rights. Since 2001, in association with CAFIU, FES has been cooperating with the International Department at the Central Committee of the CPC on a German-Chinese dialogue on international security policy, in whose implementation CAFIU is also strongly involved.

The International Department at the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) is responsible for international relations and exchanges of views with foreign parties and organisations.

The Department was established in 1951. Today, it has contacts with more than 400 political parties in more than 140 countries. It also analyses the international situation and drafts recommendations on Chinese foreign policy. FES and the IDCPC hold joint workshops and information programmes in China and Germany/Europe, focusing on questions related to China's opening-up and reform policy, as well as international relations. Since 2001, FES has been cooperating with the IDCPC on a German-Chinese dialogue on international security policy. Based on a comprehensive definition of security, this dialogue deals with central questions of multilateral conflict prevention and management. These joint initiatives complement the relations between the Social Democratic Party of Germany and the Communist Party of China.

The Chinese Institutes for Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) is one of the largest Chinese think tanks on foreign and security policy. This research and  development institute is devoted to the analysis of political, economic and security policy-related at global, regional and national level. The results of their research are presented to relevant government institutions or distributed to a broader audience by means of internal publications. FES holds joint workshops with the CICIR focusing on foreign and security policy-related topics and promotes academic exchanges.

The Social Security Research Centre of China at Renmin University is the oldest educational and research institute in the field of social security. As one of the leading institutions in this field it also advises the Chinese government on the reform of social insurance systems, which is also the main focus in education and research. FES holds seminars together with the Social Security Research Centre on issues related to reform of the social security system in China and thus provides a platform for German and international expertise in the process.

The China Association of Social Security (CAOSS) was founded on February 28, 2015 in Beijing, which is a national, academic and non-profit social organization formed voluntarily by Chinese experts, scholars and related organizations engaged in social security and related fields.

The purpose of the China Association of Social Security (CAOSS) is to unite experts, scholars and professionals in the field of social security and related fields, to carry out theoretical and practical research on social security, academic exchanges, education and training, to educate and enlighten the people, to promote the construction of social security disciplines and international academic exchanges, and to contribute to the soundness of social security, the enhancement of the well-being of the people, and the promotion of the harmonious development of the society.

China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) is well known for legal academics and enjoys a distinguished reputation in politics, economics, management, arts, history, philosophy, education, as well as disciplines related to engineering and sciences. CUPL is the important research hub of the research of humanities and social sciences, especially for law, and is the only “legislative contact point” set up by the Legislative Affairs Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) in higher education institutions.

China Women’s University is the first and the only state-owned women’s university, affiliated with All-China Women’s Federation. With more than 70 years of development, it has become one of the major centers to mentor Chinese women talents. 60 thousand graduates are working in various fields, and make tremendous contributions to the economic and social development in China. As part of Chinese and global women’s education network, China Women's University has attached great importance to research and social services, playing a leading role in research fields such as gender studies, gender equality, women’s rights and interests protection, women’s leadership etc.

The membership of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions stood at 300 million in 2024 according to official figures. Beneath the umbrella body there is a dual union structure. This means that national and regional trade unions and sector-specific trade unions exist in parallel.

Altogether, there are 31 local trade union associations at provincial and regional level and ten industry-specific trade unions. In addition, ACTFU is responsible for a large number of social institutions and services. The cooperation between FES and ACTFU was established in 1983, comprising joint seminars, visiting delegations and other forms of exchange of experience between German trade unions and ACTFU or associated institutions. It focuses on issues of labour law, interest representation, practical problems of collective bargaining, corporate social responsibility and the role of trade unions under globalization. On the basis of a mandate from the DGB and its member unions FES supports exchanges between Chinese and German trade unions.

The China Foundation for Human Rights Development was established as a non-governmental organisation with the goal of contributing to the development and improvement of human rights in China, promoting cooperation between China and other countries on questions of human rights and jointly working towards the improvement of human rights worldwide. In practice, the Foundation conducts international exchanges of views on human rights, undertakes research and provides training on human rights, engages in social aid projects and rewards organisations and individuals for their outstanding contributions to human rights. Between 1999 and 2014, FES and the CFHRD have conducted, in collaboration with CAFIU, a German-Chinese dialogue on human rights.

Sichuan Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, or Friendship Society (FSS) for short, is a provincial organisation dedicated to non-governmental issues.

It sees itself as a window to foreign countries for friendly exchange between peoples. The Friendship Society was established in 1981. As a member organisation of the Chinese Society of the People for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Friendship Society is devoted to "deepening friendship between peoples, promoting international cooperation, preserving world peace and supporting joint development". The cooperation between Sichuan Province and FES started in the early 1980s, addressing issues of economics and society. This cooperation has helped to give impetus to the reform and opening up of Sichuan province. Between 1984 and 1994 FES had an office in Chengdu. From 1995 onwards, the FES Beijing office started to manage the FES side of joint projects and programs with the Friendship Society. Currently, the exchange focuses on issues related to the environmentally and socially sustainable development of Sichuan.

Founded in 2013, Grandview Institution has grown into one of the leading independent think tanks in China. In accordance with the China Think Tank Index (CTTI)’s Think Tank Report released in 2018, Grandview Institution was ranked 6th on the list of China’s Social Think Tanks Rating. CTTI is jointly developed by the Nanjing University and Guangming Daily. It was also ranked 70th on the list of Think Tanks with Policy Influence in the 2020 Global Think Tank Ranking organized by the University of Pennsylvania.

The China Arms Control and Disarmament Association (CACDA) was founded in Beijing in 2001 with the aim of organizing and coordinating national civilian arms control and disarmament activities in order to promote the process of international disarmament and arms control and to maintain world peace.

Founded in October 2016, the Country and Area Studies Academy of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) is a comprehensive think tank integrating scientific research, teaching, policy consulting and talent training. At present, the Country and Area Studies Academy contacts and coordinates BFSU's four country and regional research bases of the Ministry of Education and 37 country and regional research centers filed with the Ministry of Education, and manages two professional journals, International Forum (CSSCI) and Area Studies and Global Development.

The Counsellors’ Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government is a direct municipal government institution founded in 1951. Its main functions include among others: “organization of counsellors to study the guidelines and policies of the Party and the State; organization of counsellors to participate and debate political issues, consult the state, conduct democratic supervision and unite the bonds of friendship; organization of exchange and cooperation with foreign governmental consultative institutions; organization of counsellors to propose amendments and suggestions on legal document drafts and reports on the work of the municipal government level and other important draft documents; provision of protection and services for counsellors to perform their duties in accordance with the law; performance of other matters assigned by the municipal government level.”

Fudan University is among the best known universities in China. It ranks number three in the national university rankings and has 16 institutes, 72 faculties and 65 research institutes. About 2,800 of the roughly 26,800 students enrolled at Fudan are foreigners.

The university cooperates with more than 200 universities, colleges and research institutes from about 30 countries and has a 105-year history, especially in the arts and humanities. Fudan University and FES Shanghai had been working together for a couple of years before the partnership was put on a more formal basis in 2007. On the occasion of the visit of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, the former head of Shanghai FES office Katja Meyer and Fudan vice president Professor YAN Shuang signed a memorandum to build up the »Fudan-FES Forum«.

Founded as early as 1949, the Shanghai Party Institute (SPI) resumed work shortly after the Cultural Revolution. It established the Shanghai Administrative Cadres Institute (SACI) in 1986, renamed the Shanghai Administration Institute (SAI) in 1989. The SAI is the College of Administration and the College of the CCP in Shanghai.

It has more than 400 employees and more than 10 departments. Every year, there are more than 100 courses, with the participation of about 10,000 cadres and civil servants. SAI’s research programmes provide the Chinese government with a variety of valuable information. The cooperation between FES Shanghai and SAI took off in 2000 and has been extended considerably since then. In their cooperation the two partners emphasize research into political party theory and practice, as well as the reform, structure and functions of public administration.

The Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS) is one of the leading think tanks of China and a distinguished academic institution. Founded in 1958 and administered by the Municipal Government of Shanghai, SASS is China’s oldest institution for the humanities and social sciences as well as the second-largest one outside of Beijing.

SASS has 17 institutes and more than 20 interdisciplinary centres that conduct theoretical research and applied studies in humanities and social sciences, with a special focus on the current social and economic transformation and the country’s continual reform and development. It conducts policy studies for government authorities, and offers training and consulting services. Its research findings and publications have been particularly influential with both policy-makers and the greater public. The cooperation between FES Shanghai and SASS dates back to the early 1980s.

The Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) are the main partner of FES in Shanghai. In 1985, the first contract between the two was ratified. From then on the cooperation grew steadily closer and the areas of work expanded.

Founded in 1960, SIIS is one of China’s most important think tanks. It engages mainly in questions regarding foreign and security policy and international relations. The institute advises the Shanghai municipal government as well as the central government and has as its main task supporting China’s opening up and international relations. It studies mainly the United States, Japan, Europe, Russia and the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on relations between major powers and China's periphery environment. This way, the SIIS supports the opening-up process in a sustainable manner and cooperates with foreign policy decision-makers and institutions in 30 different countries. The cooperation’s centrepiece is the annual Shanghai Workshop on Global Governance, a dialogue platform on questions of global affairs for experts on politics and economics from China, Germany and other Asian and European countries.

The Shanghai Municipal Trade Union Council (SMTUC) was founded in 1925. It has the status of Provincial Federation of Trade Unions under the guidance of the All-Chinese Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU).

The Federation of Workers’ Unions concentrates on participation, further training and qualifications for the employees and on measures to improve work safety. SMTUC is the umbrella organisation of all Shanghai workers’ unions. It has about 5 million members and represents 131 workers’ unions (covering more than 110,000 enterprises and companies) in total. It has relations and cooperates with workers’ unions from more than 17 countries.

The Shanghai Women’s Federation (SWF) is the regional subdivision of the All-China Women’s Federation and thus part of a mass organisation.

Founded in August 1950, the SWF’s purpose is to protect the legal rights and interests of Shanghai women and to support gender mainstreaming. The federation advises the municipal government on development issues concerning Shanghai women and is monitoring the project’s progress. The association has an institutional representation in the Shanghai People’s Congress. The SWF has established several professional associations to connect women in certain professions (journalism, law, enterprise and so on). Furthermore, the SWF hosts training courses on a regular basis and supports the political participation of women in Shanghai. Since 1995 the Shanghai Women’s Federation has been FES’s main partner in questions regarding women and gender policy.

Tongji University was founded as a German medical school for Chinese in Shanghai in 1907, under the direction of the German doctor Dr Erich Paulun. In 1927, it became Tongji National University.

The departments range from natural and educational sciences through engineering, economics, medicine and law to philosophy. There are about 30,000 students at Tongji. The Chinesisch-Deutsches Hochschulkolleg (CDHK) was opened in February 1998 as a communal institution of the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD), Tongji University and German economy. About 300 masters students are taught in the fields of economic law, economics, electrical engineering and engineering. FES has a longstanding cooperation with the Deutschland Forschungszentrum of Tongji University on a political, economic and social developments in Germany.