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Academia Sinica President Chien-Jen Chen met yesterday (August 4) with Karsten Tietz, Director General of the German Institute Taipei, and Julian Goldmann, Head of the Science and Technology Division. The two sides held in-depth discussions on Taiwan–Germany scientific collaboration, the cultivation of young research talent, emerging technologies, and research in the humanities and social sciences, while exploring concrete opportunities to expand cooperation in new and emerging fields.

President Chen noted that he had the opportunity to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in May of 2025. As Taiwanese companies continue to expand investment in Germany and industrial collaboration between the two sides grows, he said Taiwan and Germany are well positioned to build a mutually beneficial partnership. Director General Tietz emphasized that Taiwan and Germany have already established a solid foundation for cooperation in semiconductors, next-generation fuel cells, hydrogen energy, and artificial intelligence. He observed that the two sides possess highly complementary strengths across a range of emerging research areas and expressed hope that they would jointly pursue more forward-looking scientific collaborations to further strengthen academic exchange.

President Chen further noted that, in addition to deepening collaboration in technology fields such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence, Academia Sinica's strengths in the humanities and social sciences could also provide new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with German partners. Participants suggested that initial exchanges could focus on China studies and regional developments, international law, and AI governance. Through joint research projects, scholar exchanges, and academic dialogue, both sides aim to strengthen cooperation on issues of shared international concern and jointly address the new challenges arising from rapid technological advances and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Chien-Liang Lee, Acting Director of the Institutum Iurisprudentiae at Academia Sinica, also shared the Institute's long-standing collaboration with research institutes under the Max Planck Society. He noted that this September the Institute will send outstanding doctoral students to the Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy for a three-month academic exchange program, marking an important first step toward strengthening student exchanges between the two sides. More concrete collaborative initiatives are expected to follow. Director General Tietz welcomed the initiative, emphasizing that exchanges among young researchers will further deepen scientific cooperation between Taiwan and Germany and serve as an important foundation for expanding the partnership in the future.

Both sides expressed their commitment to promoting such exchanges through continued high-level visits, international forums, and academic lectures, while further strengthening dialogue and cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

Academia Sinica participants included President Chien-Jen Chen, Vice President Shin-Kun Peng, Acting Director of the Institutum Iurisprudentiae Chien-Liang Lee, and Tzu-Ching Meng, Director of the Department of International Affairs.