Polish spirits and the Japanese market / Polska branża spirytusowa a rynek japoński
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 …
Chiny, Tybet i Tybetańczycy – dziś i jutro.
Debata o Chinach Tybecie i Tybetańczykach. Prof. Jerzy Bayer, Adam Kozieł, dr Marek Kalmus i Maksymilian Woch dyskutowali historii stosunków chińsko tybetańskich, współczesnym statusie Tybetu jako chińskiej prowincji, tożsamości narodowej i roli religii w życiu Tybetańczyków, ich stosunkach z napływową ludnością chińską oraz skalą i skutkami represji ze strony komunistycznych władz stosowanymi w Tybecie. Zapraszamy do obejrzenia nagrań i lektury wybranych fragmentów debaty
„Każda nacja zasługuje na to, żeby żyć we własnym państwie. Jak mógłby wyglądać Tybet jako państwo niepodległe? Wystarczy pojechać do sąsiedniego Bhutanu i mamy na tacy podane jak to funkcjonuje. W latach 1913-1914 r. Tybet miał wszystkie cechy niezależnego państwa: terytorium, dobrze zorganizowana administracja, rząd dysponujące ludnością i armią. Nie zadbano tylko o jedno – o uznanie międzynarodowe”.
„Główny nurt rozmowy o stosunkach politycznych i statusie państw toczy się przy użyciu kategorii europejskich, czegoś co nazywa się porządkiem westfalskim i co nie ma zastosowania do kontekstu tybetańskiego, to jest zupełnie inny świat. To jest zupełnie inny obraz stosunków między państwami, między podmiotami suwerennymi, które to stosunki często są warstwowe w kontekście azjatyckim”. Read More …
Official Polish delegations to Japan and areas of cooperation / Polskie oficjalne delegacje do Japonii a obszary współpracy
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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Korea Północna a status quo w Azji Wschodniej – Debata Asia Explained
Sytuacja na Półwyspie Koreańskim wciąż daleka jest od pełnej normalizacji a polityka władz Korei Północnej rodzi obawy o możliwość utrzymania pokoju w regionie. Zjednoczenie obu Korei wskazywane przez Seul jako rozwiązanie nie cieszy się jednak poparciem zaangażowanych w regionie mocarstw. Dla większości z nich chwiejne status quo wydaje się o wiele lepszym modelem niż silna i zjednoczona Korea. Na temat obecnej sytuacji na Półwyspie Koreańskim i perspektyw jej rozwoju dyskutowali naukowcy krakowskich uczelni na debacie zorganizowanej dniu 16 stycznia 2020 r. przez Asia Explained wspólnie z Regionalnym Ośrodkiem Debaty Międzynarodowej w Krakowie i Klubem Jagiellońskim. W debacie udział wzięli: Prof. UEK dr hab. Robert Jakimowicz, Katedra Studiów Politycznych, Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny w Krakowie, Dr Michał Lubina, Instytut Bliskiego i Dalekiego Wschodu Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Agnieszka Batko, Instytut Nauk Politycznych i Stosunków Międzynarodowych, Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Adrian Brona, Instytut Bliskiego i Dalekiego Wschodu, Uniwersytet Jagielloński.Read More …
Chinese drug procurement system impact on Polish export opportunities / Wpływ systemu zakupu leków w Chinach na polski eksport
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 / Chińskie media o reformie sądownictwa w Polsce
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 …
Przemoc w buddyzmie
Buddyzm powszechnie kojarzony jest jako religia pokoju, ale czy słusznie? Czy buddyści dopuszczają użycie przemocy? W jakich sytuacjach i z jakich powodów? Na ten temat dyskutowali pracownicy i przedstawiciel społeczności buddyjskiej na debacie zorganizowanej dniu 16 grudnia 2019 r. przez Asia Explained wspólnie z Regionalnym Ośrodkiem Debaty Międzynarodowej w Krakowie. W debacie udział wzieli: dr Michał Lubina, Instytut Bliskiego i Dalekiego Wschodu UJ, p. Nityabandhu, kierujacy ośrodkiem Sanghaloka – Triratny w Polsce, dr Tobiasz Targosz, Zakład Japonistyki i Sinologii, UJ dr Jakub Zamorski, Katedra Porównawczych Studiów Cywilizacji UJ dr Jarosław Zapart, Katedra Porównawczych Studiów Cywilizacji UJ.Read More …
Poland and The Japan Institute for Overseas Investment / Polska i Japoński Instytut Inwestycji Zagranicznych
On December 13 The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tokyo and The Japan Institute for Overseas Investment (JOI) signed a business cooperation agreement extending the agreement from 2008 when The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tokyo became a special member of JOI. The agreement has been inked in a very favorable moment for polish entrepreneurs and economy with EUJEPA and Infrastructure cooperation pact entering into force. JOI works closely with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) – founder of JOI, who gathers more than 200 most valuable Japanese financial, construction, manufacturing, trading and energy companies. JOI includes major Japanese investors in Poland like Toyota Motors or Hitachi. It brings a major change in presenting and communicating the latest information on Polish economy and investment possibilities. From now they will be distributed to the JOI members by JOI.
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BYD’s new success in Europe / Nowy sukces BYD w Europie
On December 9 the Chinese company BYD announced that three days earlier it has reached a deal with the Keolis Nederland BV, a dutch subsidiary of global public transport provider on the delivery of 259 electric buses. The growing demand for emission-free public transport in Europe is an opportunity for Chinese electric buses manufacturers. BYD is the direct competitor for the Polish electric bus manufacturer Solaris. In 2019 both Solaris and BYD companies scored a number of contracts in Europe. BYD tried to compete with Solaris in Poland. In 2016 BYD competed with Solaris in the bid for 20 electric busues in Cracow. Both comanies competed again in November 2018 for the much bigger contract for 130 electric buses for Warsaw.The expansion of BYD in Europe can have an impact on Solaris sales and expansion. It should also be noted, that other Chinese bus companies such as Yutong have already entered the European market. BYD’s success can also pave the way to more orders for other Chinese manufacturers. Read More …
EU-Singapore trade agreement and its impact on Poland / Umowa handlowa UE-Singapur i jej wpływ na Polskę
On November 14 Council of the European Union released a decision on the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore that will come into force on November 21. Singapore is EU top trade partner in ASEAN with trade value in goods and services over 100 bln EUR and interesting market with wealthy middle class. Singapore is vibrant regional trade and investment hub that can serve as the gateway to ASEAN countries and other regional markets. Implementation of the new trade and investment agreements with ASEAN countries can be a good alternative for EU companies to trade or investing in China and can increase strategically important diversification and decrease EU dependence on China in the Asia Pacific region.The agreement can boost Polish export in other groups of products and export of services. Singapore is a regional trade hub and can serve a showcase for Polish exporters e.g. of food and agricultural products wishing to enter other ASEAN markets such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Read More …