China has announced a new blueprint aimed at enhancing collaboration with foreign universities, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This strategy seeks to "open up" the education system, inviting high-level foreign institutions to establish programmes and institutes within the country. While this approach may appear contradictory to China's rhetoric of self-sufficiency, experts suggest it is a response to economic challenges, including sanctions on high-tech industries and difficulties in sending students abroad for STEM education.

In an interview with Times Higher Education, Professor Joshua Mok Ka-ho, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research) and Dean of Graduate School, emphasises the strategic importance of engaging in international research collaborations to bolster the global standing of Chinese universities. Despite rising security concerns leading many international institutions to sever ties with China, there remains interest from non-Western countries, such as Russia, in academic partnerships. The focus on STEM education presents a tangible opportunity for collaboration, as it aligns with China's strengths in these fields. This shift reflects a broader strategy of openness rather than confrontation, echoing past U.S. policies in higher education.