Civil society: 'We stand up for freedom of expression'

Your association provides insights into the German political system, among other things. How do you see the upcoming federal elections?

Most young Chinese people we are in contact with have only been in Germany for a short time. They don't hold German citizenship and therefore can't vote. But we do follow the election campaign. Shortly after the election, we plan to discuss the results at a discussion event within the Chinese community.

What do you want to achieve with your work?

We are a point of contact for new arrivals, providing some initial guidance. We want to understand Germany better and build bridges. We primarily reach out to younger Chinese migrants through a variety of formats. Some of our projects have also received funding from the state of Berlin. Last year, we organized over 50 events, including a trip to the German Bundestag and a conversation with an employee from the Potsdam Immigration Office. A Chinese employee from a German university shared his experiences in employee representation under the title: "What do trade unions really do, apart from the train strike?" We also held intercultural career salons and an anti-discrimination workshop. Then there were more relaxed events, from book discussions to a music evening and joint bird watching.

The current sentiment in Germany towards immigrants is not particularly positive. Are you worried, especially in light of the rise of the right-wing AfD?

The concrete dangers for people like us and German citizens with a Chinese migration background are difficult to assess. But one thing can be said: Many young and well-educated people in China could imagine emigrating. If marginalization in Germany increases, the country will become less attractive to them.

How do you perceive the debates about China in Germany?

In Germany, information about the Chinese economy, society and politics is often mixed up in people's minds. When we talk to people here, we encounter many, often negative, prejudices about China and its people. Another problem is that non-governmental Chinese groups have almost no voice in German debates about China. We have no desire to be given a special role. However, like other migrant groups, we also want to participate in society. We hope that we will be able to continue the dialogue with political actors at various levels after the parliamentary elections. And we hope that German society will treat migrant groups like us with openness and curiosity.

What inspired the founding of your association?

Our association came together during the pandemic. It was a tough time for many Chinese migrants, especially those who had not been in Germany for long. At first, there were informal meetings in living rooms among acquaintances, and then the association was founded.

What is your relationship with Chinese government agencies?

We have no ties with Chinese authorities. Official bodies have their own function, after all, they also have many more resources. But we need diverse voices in Germany's China community. That's what we stand for.

Nevertheless, there are fears and mistrust among Chinese living abroad as to who can really be trusted.

The first thing we want to do at events and meetings is to create an atmosphere of trust. Everyone is encouraged to talk about their own experiences and not judge others. We have noticed that many people in China are careful when using political terms in public discussions, especially regarding party or government issues. Even certain words that are not forbidden are avoided. It takes time and a safe space to learn to speak openly. That's why most of our events so far have been in Chinese.

Many groups from Chinese civil society abroad are worried about surveillance or even persecution by the Chinese government. How do you deal with this?

Many events have a registration form, and for more sensitive topics, we will only announce the meeting point after we have confirmed participation. We also take other precautions. One concern is that people who have been involved with us might get into trouble when they return to China. Fortunately, this has not happened so far. But generally speaking, we stand up for freedom of expression, which should be normal in a democracy. So, we see no reason to hide.

There are now 706 local groups in several Chinese cities, and it is one of the largest international networks among young Chinese migrants. Why is the organization so popular?

We don't have a clear political agenda – the fundamental principle is that anyone interested in a topic can organize something about it and use us as a platform. There is also no central authority that coordinates the individual branches of 706. That may sound a little unstructured, but it is only through this openness that we manage to bring so many people together. Moreover, many young, well-educated Chinese people have increasingly been looking to leave China in recent years. Through them, 706 has spread worldwide to places with large Chinese communities, such as Tokyo, San Francisco, Chiang Mai in Thailand, Amsterdam and Berlin.

Where did 706 originally come from, and what's the story behind its somewhat mysterious name?

706 was founded around 2012 in Beijing around the university scene there. The goal was to create an independent space for young people to meet, which is hardly possible with the state control at the universities. Back when the organization was founded, there was more room for open discussion in China than today. However, the younger generation especially felt increasingly oppressed. The organization's building in Beijing's Wudaokou district had the house number 706, hence the name. It hosted movie screenings, exhibitions, lectures and much more.

Rui Li came to Germany in 2019 to pursue a master's in Non-Profit Management. Chao Tan has lived in Germany since 2010 and works as a project manager. Both are board members of 706 Berlin e.V.