The CPAFFC as the party-state’s guardian of Polish regions’ relations with China
For years, the Poland-China Regional Forum has been the largest meeting of representatives from Polish and Chinese regions.On the Polish side, the forum was organized by local authorities with support from the central government, which hosts the event. On the Chinese side, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC, 中国人民对外友好协会) has always been the main event coordinator. “The CPAFFC is the main ‘people’s diplomacy’ organisation within the CCP foreign-affairs system. It has been used as a tool to advance CCP policy by-passing state channels since its Soviet-modelled origins. Today, it primarily targets foreign subnational governments, political figures and NGOs.Serving as forum organizer provides the CPAFFC with the opportunity to shape the forum’s agenda, but first and foremost it gives first-hand knowledge about the key figures in the Polish central government, local administration and self-government bodies.
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Polish spirits and the Japanese market
At the end of February and March 2020, Japanese and Polish media reported an increased demand for Polish spirits in Japan. They attribute the increase to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 and the alleged efficiency of the Polish liquors – of the 96% rectified spirit in particular – in killing the virus. In the period of 2015-2018, the trade exchange between Poland and Japan averaged USD 3.9 billion annually. Polish exports to Japan amounted to USD 600 million, with Polish alcohols (including Poland-produced foreign brands) accounting for 0.15% of the volume and USD 1.5 million of the sum total. Among the most successful in the Japanese market are Żubrówka (producer Roust Trading) and rectified spirits by Polmos. the industry should pay attention, as the current situation caused by the pandemic, can effectively contribute to Polish alcohol’s recognition and popularity. It seems that there will be no better time for the Polish spirits industry to effectively strengthen and boost their market share in the insular Japanese wholesale and retail market. Read More …
Official Polish delegations to Japan and areas of cooperation
On January 20-22, Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki with a group of officials including the Minister of Climate Michał Kurtyka paid an official visit to Japan. Less than a month later (February 17-23), Senate Marshal Tomasz Grodzki paid a similar visit. The delegation visited Japan between January 20-22 and – on the sidelines of the Morawiecki’s official meeting with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe – the meetings focused on economic issues were held. PM Morawiecki met representatives of Polish and Japanese businesses to discuss various infrastructure investment possibilities – among them a particular emphasis has been put on the Central Communication Port (CCP). Energy issues were also highlighted with reference to Polish plans for nuclear energy and Japanese experience in the field of coal-to-gas conversion.
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Chinese drug procurement system impact on Polish export opportunities
In the first 11 months of the last year, 1247 out of 7346 large scale enterprises recorded losses, 52 enterprises more than in 2018. The profitability of pharmaceutical enterprises decreased. To offset losses some companies started selling off their assets. This situation is a result of the recently implemented by the Chinese authorities procurement of drugs with target quantity policies (带量采购政策). The program’s goal is to drive down prices of off-patent drugs, encourage domestic companies to provide generic drugs at the lowest possible price and to free up state funds to pay for advanced, novel cutting-edge therapies for Chinese patients. However the new system also results in profit erosion and can discourage innovative enterprises to invest in new drugs as they finance research and development from profits derived from off-patent or generic drugs. Polish drug exporters to China can face more challenges as the competition grows both the generic drugs and patented drugs market. o successfully compete in the Chinese market Polish exporters need to dramatically increase their competitiveness in novel, patented drugs or at least in modified advanced generic drugs. Read More …
Chinese media on judicial reform in Poland
On December 18 the Chinese News Network published an article on the reform of the Polish judicial system undertaken by the Law and Justice government and the argument made by the Supreme Court of Poland, that the reforms can lead to Poland’s exit from the EU. Chinese media outlets including Global Times, China Daily and many others have reported the news drawing the content form the article by the Chinese News Network. The Chinese media coverage missed several important elements and it resulted in creating the distorted picture of the situation. The political opposition statements, public opinion strong critical voices and protests were not reported. There was also no backgrounder explaining to the Chinese reader how the PiS planned and already partially implemented reforms of the judicial system actually endangers the rule of law in Poland. Read More …