Decoding Discord: Paradoxes, Misperceptions and Risks in EU–China Higher Education Cooperation

Geopolitical tensions and shifts in global power dynamics have profoundly influenced the internationalization of higher education, particularly evident in EU–China higher education cooperation. This article examines the emerging challenges in this cooperation, identified as paradoxes in collaboration objectives, mutual misperceptions, and concealed risks to sustained collaboration. Through scrutinizing these elements, the author proposes recommendations for policy makers and practitioners engaged in the field to transform these challenges into potential opportunities for enhanced cooperation.