Terms of Use

Effective date: 14/01/2025

European Hub for Contemporary China (EuroHub4Sino) is a Horizon Europe project funded by the European Union, under the grant agreement 101131737.

This document describes the conditions that govern how visitors can use the website’s services, content, and features.

Introduction

This Terms of Use (“Terms”) apply to Users’ access to and use of this website (eh4s.eu) and its services (collectively, the “Services”) provided by EuroHub4Sino consortium. By clicking consent (e.g. “Continue”, “Accept All”, “Sign-in” or “Sign-up”) or by using our Services, Users agree to these Terms.

EuroHub4Sino consortium provides information, communicates with the general public and presents project results via this website, eh4s.eu, which is operated by the project coordinator, Beyond the Horizon ISSG, on behalf of the consortium. In this regard, Beyond the Horizon deals with the day-to-day management of the website, whereas Hybrid Core provides technical support for complex and substantial IT work as the host of the website.

The website has two sections: an open access public service area and a restricted solution area. While the former provides access to research-based policy papers, and essential project information, the latter serves as a hub for registered and approved China experts (EuroHub4Sino Network) and supports their research, collaboration and communication efforts.

By accessing or using Our website, Users agree to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which, together with Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy, govern EuroHub4Sino-User relationship concerning this website and its services. If Users do not agree to these terms, they must not use Our website.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Terms of Use:

• Account means a unique account created for a User to access our Services or parts of our Services.
• Consortium is the association of partners (Beyond the Horizon ISSG, Hybrid Core, Institute for Security & Development Policy, Prague University of Economics and Business, Heidelberg University, Jagiellonian University, The University of Warwick, Chatham House) carrying out EuroHub4Sino Project.
• Project (also "the Project", "We", "Us" or "Our") refers to EuroHub4Sino project.
• Service refers to the Website and the associated features therein. Some services are open access while others are restricted to network members only.
• Terms refers to Terms of Use of this website.
• Third-party Service refers to any (social network) website through which a User can create an account and log in to use the Services, personalise (like, bookmark) and interact (comment, share) with the Services.
• User means the individual accessing or using the Service, or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Service, as applicable.
• Website refers to EH4S platform, accessible via eh4s.eu.

Users, Accounts and Access

User Types

1. Visitor: Any user who visits Our website's open access sections without signing in.
2. Follower: Any user that visits Our website's open access sections by signing in.
3. Member: Any user that is a part of the EuroHub4Sino Network [1].

User Access Rights

1. Visitor: Can surf the open access section (public service area) of Our website. They have no rights to engage with the content or the website other than “Contact” form.
2. Follower: Can do the basic engagements, such as, like, bookmark, and share publications at the open access section (public service area) of Our website and make comments on the publications. Followers will also automatically receive our newsletter as they sign-up.
3. Member: On top of Follower access rights, members can access to the restricted solution area of the platform and enjoy different features based on their membership type.

Accounts

Users can navigate the open access section of the website (public service area) without the need to create an account or sign-in. However, users without an account (i.e. visitors) cannot engage with the content nor the website.  In order to access certain Services, such as engaging with the open access section as a Follower or accessing restricted solution area features as a Member, Users shall create an account.

Account Creation

User Personal Data, which is provided during the account creation (sign-up) phase, will be used in line with Our Privacy Policy.

Follower Account

Email Sign-up

Account creation requires Users to provide accurate and complete information, including their email address, name, and any additional details requested during registration.

Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their login credentials and for all activities conducted under their accounts. If unauthorized access or suspicious activity is detected, Users must notify Us immediately to ensure the security of their accounts.

Third-Party Sign-In Services

Our website allows you to register and sign in using third-party authentication services, including Google, Microsoft, and Apple. By choosing to sign in through these services, you agree to the terms and conditions and the privacy policies of these third-party providers. You also consent to the exchange of certain personal information (such as your email address and name) between the third-party service and our website to facilitate the sign-in process.

Member Account

Members are part of the EuroHub4Sino Network and thus treated differently. Users must apply for membership in a separate page (via EH4S Platform tab). The page provides concise information about the restricted section area and the associated features as well as a link for an application form. Membership applications are scrutinised and approved based on the expertise of the applicant.

Once vetted, members will receive an email with a link which directs them to their profile page. Members will have to fill in a questionnaire before exercising their rights.

Account Termination

• The Project reserves the right to terminate or suspend accounts that violate these Terms, engage in unauthorized activities, or compromise the platform’s security or integrity.
• Users may delete their accounts at any time by contacting Us or using the account management tools provided on the Website.

Services

Public Service Area (Open Access)

Our website provides the following open access services as part of the EuroHub4Sino project’s commitment to open science as well as to enhance transparency, dissemination, and engagement with its research activities:

1. Publications: This section offers access to research outputs (policy papers, long reads, articles, reports, commentaries) produced under EuroHub4Sino and other relevant Horizon Europe projects as well as other open access quality papers on contemporary China. These documents are made freely accessible under creative commons licenses.
2. News and Activities: This section is intended to feature recent updates about the project’s activities, milestones, and key developments. It will also provide coverage of news relevant to the project and its researchers to keep stakeholders informed about ongoing efforts and achievements.
3. Newsletter: Users can subscribe to receive a quarterly newsletter [2]by providing their email address and consent. At any time, users can unsubscribe via their profile page or the newsletter mail.
4. About Us: This section provides information about the EuroHub4Sino project, including its objectives, partners, and the consortium’s mission. It aims to offer users an overview of the project’s scope and focus areas.
5. Contact: The contact page facilitates communication with the EuroHub4Sino project team via a contact form. Users have to provide their names and email addresses to send their messages.

Restricted Solution Area (Limited Access/Members Only)

The restricted solution area of the platform provides specialised tools and features for the EuroHub4Sino Network to support their research, collaboration and communication efforts. These services are accessible only to authorised users, i.e., members, with registered accounts.

1. Joint Market Place (JMP): A collaborative space where members can post and browse opportunities, such as calls for partnerships, funding opportunities, job openings, and more. This service facilitates matching and resource sharing within the network.
2. Online Dynamic Library (ODL): A centralised repository of open access knowledge and resources, offering access to curated research papers, policy briefs, datasets, official documents and multimedia materials (only for researchers). The library is regularly updated to ensure researchers can explore the latest publication on contemporary China.
3. Expert Enquiry Tool (EET): An interactive tool that enables the identification of experts within the Network in a specific area, facilitating future collaboration.
4. Communication Tools: Built-in tools that offer a live chat (only for researchers) and a message tool (for all members), eliminating the necessity for external communication tools, including email.

Intellectual Property Rights

All content published on the website, unless otherwise stated, is the property of [Project Name] or is used under appropriate licenses. Users must respect these intellectual property rights and use the content in accordance with the terms provided, especially for open access documents under the CC BY license.

User Responsibility

Users are expected to use Our Services for their intended purposes, adhere to confidentiality requirements, and comply with all platform rules.

Content and communications within the Restricted Service Area (e.g., Joint Market Place postings, inquiries) must be treated as confidential unless otherwise specified.

Users are responsible for any content they choose to share on social media platforms and for managing the privacy settings of their social media accounts to control how their shares are visible to others.

Our Website may contain links to other websites that are not operated by Us. Once clicked, Users will be directed to relevant third party's site. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third-party sites or services. We strongly advise to review the Privacy Policy of every site visited.

User-Generated Content Responsibility

By posting, uploading, or submitting comments, reviews, and other forms of content (collectively, "User Content") on Our Website, Users agree to abide by the guidelines stated below and acknowledge that they are solely responsible for the User Content they submit. Users warrant that they own or have obtained all necessary rights to the User Content they post and that their content does not violate or infringe upon the rights of others, including copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other personal or proprietary rights.

Users agree not to post User Content that:

• Is unlawful, libellous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, indecent, lewd, suggestive, harassing, threatening, invasive of privacy or publicity rights, abusive, inflammatory, fraudulent, or otherwise objectionable,
• Promotes racism, bigotry, hatred, or harm against any individual or group,
• Infringes on intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or other legal rights of individuals or entities,
• Constitutes unsolicited promotions, political campaigning, advertising, or solicitations,
• Contains viruses, corrupted data, or other harmful, disruptive, or destructive files,
• Promotes illegal activities or violates any applicable laws.

EuroHub4Sino reserves the right, but is not obligated, to review, screen, delete, edit, or move any User Content at our sole discretion, without prior notice to the User, for any reason, and at any time. The posting of User Content on Our Website does not constitute Our endorsement or support of the views, opinions, or facts expressed in such content.

By submitting User Content on Our Website, Users grant EuroHub4Sino a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, and worldwide license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, and display such content in any form, format, or forum now known or hereafter developed.

Users acknowledge and agree that they, not Our Website, are entirely responsible for all User Content that they post, and they agree to indemnify and hold harmless EuroHub4Sino and its partners, directors, officers, employees, and agents from any and all claims, damages, expenses, and liabilities arising from or related to any User Content they post.

Limitation of Liability

The information provided on the website is for informational purposes only. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and timeliness, EuroHub4Sino does not guarantee the completeness or reliability of the information.

EuroHub4Sino is not responsible for user-generated content posted on the website. Users agree to indemnify and hold EuroHub4Sino harmless from all claims, damages, and expenses arising from their content.

EuroHub4Sino and its affiliates, including consortium partners, managers, work package leaders, researchers, and employees, shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, goodwill, data, or other intangible losses, arising from:

• User access to, use of, or inability to access the website,
• Conduct or content of any third party on the website, including defamatory, offensive, or illegal actions by other Users or third parties,
• Content obtained from the website,
• Unauthorized access, use, or alteration of User transmissions or content.

This limitation applies to the fullest extent permitted by law, regardless of the legal theory under which damages are sought, including warranty, contract, or tort (e.g., negligence).

Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. Any changes will be effectively immediately upon posting on the website. Your continued use of the site after such changes will constitute acknowledgment and agreement of the modified terms.

Governing Law

These terms and conditions are governed by Belgian laws without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Contact

If you have any questions about this Terms of Use Policy, please contact us:

• By email: eh4s@eh4s.eu
• By filling the form: https://eh4s.eu/contact