Post by Raphael El Fatatry, LL.M.

A little over a month ago, I returned from an incredibly insightful journey through China 🇨🇳 – and yet, many of the impressions and discussions still feel very present. Especially today, as I came across a recent article in the Süddeutsche Zeitung titled “China-Kompetenz ist kein Nischenthema, sondern Teil strategischer Souveränität” (May 5, 2026), I was reminded how relevant these experiences continue to be. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/evkcMpde The article argues that understanding China is no longer a niche skill, but a strategic necessity – a point that strongly resonates with what I experienced on the ground, particularly from a legal and intellectual property perspective. Through the China Competence Center at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (#CCTC), I had the opportunity to engage directly with China’s legal and regulatory environment and to better understand how IP protection, enforcement, and innovation policy interact in practice. As a representative of the Max Planck Society, I was part of a group of professionals and researchers aiming to build and deepen China competence in a meaningful, practice-oriented way. Looking back, this experience reinforced my view that strong legal expertise, particularly in the field of intellectual property, must be complemented by a nuanced understanding of different jurisdictions and their strategic priorities. Building this kind of competence is essential for anyone working at the intersection of law, innovation, and international collaboration. #ChinaCompetence #GlobalPerspective #MaxPlanck #InternationalCollaboration #Innovation #Research #IPLaw