The official inauguration of the Forum was held at the Law and Administration Faculty and featured a wide array of honorable speakers, attendees and representatives of the Forum’s partners and sponsors, government and diplomacy officials as well as University authorities and media. The ceremony was opened with a speech from former Polish Ambassador in Beijing, H.E. Ambassador Krzysztof Szumski, who appraised the idea of the Warsaw-Beijing Forum as our countries have to look for a common ground for cooperation. The speech was followed by Prof. Tomasz Giaro, Vice-Dean for Research and Personal Affairs, Department of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw, who underlined that the event not only was about the conference but also learning each other and understanding both countries. Prof. Alojzy Nowak, University of Warsaw Pro-Rector for Research and Cooperation and Dr. Piotr Grzebyk, the Head of the School of Polish Law and Warsaw-Beijing Forum Academic Guardian, conducted a highly informative panel on the importance of international cooperation and the significance of youth initiatives. Finally the Conference closed with a speech from Ph.D. Xu Shenjian, Vice Dean of the School of Law at China University of Political Science and Law expressing his hopes for future fruitful cooperation, inspired by a work of students who prepared the Forum. After successfully completing the inaugural ceremony, all the participants mingled during networking session.
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Darren Chong from Deloitte opened the series of lectures and meetings conducted within the Forum. Having in mind, that both theory and practice were to be presented, the lecture was divided into two parts. The trainer explained what are the challenges of leading businesses in an international environment and provided real-life examples. He highlighted differences between the Polish and Chinese approach to business and covered the basic knowledge needed before undertaking business in both countries. Furthermore students exchanged their views on aspects of Guanxi and Mianzi, and what should we pay attention to when approaching potential business partners.
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The investments in energy sector, connected with both, alternative and traditional sources, were discussed with representatives of the international law firm at the company's office. During the event, participants gained insight in the Polish energy market, as well as legal framework of government procurement. Afterwards, a Q&A session took place together with a brief office tour.
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Thanks to the courtesy of the restaurant “Food House”, all participants had the possibility to enjoy traditional Chinese cuisine. Taking the opportunity of an informal atmosphere, students exchanged ideas during a networking session, which was perfect after an intensive day of lectures and workshops.
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This leading Central European think-tank was kind enough to host a panel lecture inside the Institute. After introduction, during which four Institute representatives explained several aspects of how the Polish think tank work, students turned their minds into the Eurozone crisis, which Chinese students found very interesting. Additionally, one of the crucial aspects for all participants was to indicate the ways of promoting the Polish economy and to point out the main challenges for Polish trade. By exchanging experiences, students and speakers could evaluate the perception of Chinese market among Polish companies and highlight the main barriers of bilateral cooperation.
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During the case study with the Trinity Culture Lab, Piotr R. Frankowski conducted a seminar on the reception of nobilities customs by Polish peasantry in the XIX/XX century. The main issue discussed concerned Polish history and culture – namely the idea of ‘honour’ and ‘szlachta’, which are closely related to the Chinese „face”. The lecturer also introduced Chinese students to Polish historical background and gave them an insight about the main reasons for Polish past and present political situation. Presentation included short clips from famous Polish movies such as ‘ Four tank-men and a dog’ and ‘Our folks’, where several, previously totally untapped aspects of Polish culture were pointed out.
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The case study covered an overview of banking industry in Poland and in China. Representatives of HSBC introduced participants to corporate banking and gave them an opportunity to test their managerial and analytical skills by solving case study about an overseas, either Polish or Chinese business expansion. Considering the cultural and institutional differences of banking sectors of those countries, the meeting encouraged participants to broaden their knowledge and gave them a practical approach to the everyday business problems.
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The Forum provided an unique opportunity for the students to meet with representatives of the Chinese company, TP-Link, which has expanded its business to Poland, among other countries. While discussing major sources of company’s current competitive advantage, the students benefited from practical advice for doing business internationally and learned more about the cultural differences influence on their business operations.
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During the open lecture ‘Rome, Athens, Jerusalem and the Pillars of Western Civilization’ Professor Franciszek Longchamps de Bérier presented sources of European civilization referring to Roman law, Christianity and the ancient Greek philosophy. He described how particular rules influenced the whole modern justice system. Participants got a chance to assess the evolution of private law in a European perspective reception ‘ius commune’, as well as an ability to perceive the shape and function of modern institutions of private law in Europe in a historical context.
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Early in the morning students visited the Warsaw Stock Exchange, where they learned about the Polish capital markets and the WSE’s role in the investment sector. We had a chance not only to get an insight into the largest national financial instruments exchange in the CEE region but also to analyze the development process of the WSE’s markets and discuss the WSE’ s new development strategy for the years 2014-2020.
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The meeting covered a discussion on prevention of unfair competition and jurisdiction of Polish courts preceded by the presentation entitled ‘Doing business in Poland‘. Participants had a chance to learn about the establishing a business in Poland, acquiring property and hiring employees, consumer protection, contract of sales and the most typical legal form of business establishments - limited liability company - the creation of a company and its structure.
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A debate at the Foundation was mainly focused on international relations and trade cooperation between Poland and China. Two distinguished guests, former Ambassadors of Poland in China, H.E. Ksawery Burski and H.E. Krzysztof Szumski participated in the panel.
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All the participants visited the Royal Baths Park while being accompanied by representatives of the Sinopol Foundation. During sightseeing recent achievements in Sino-Polish cooperation were discussed and the Chinese Alley in the Park, co-funded by the Organization, was set as an example of mutual cultural investment
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The official inauguration of the Warsaw Beijing Forum was held at the New Omani Chang Fu Gong Hotel in Beijing. The Opening Ceremony started with a speech given by the Vice Dean of the School of Law at China University of Political Science and Law, Professor Xu Shenjian, who underlined that both Poland and China have to look for a common ground for cooperation. The speech was followed by professor Tomasz Giaro, Vice Dean for Research and Personal Affairs, Department of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw, who focused on the potential of the Forum and the opportunities given to the participants of the event. Dr. Piotr Grzebyk, the Head of the School of Polish Law and Warsaw-Beijing Forum Academic Guardian, gave a highly informative speech concerning international cooperation and the significance of youth initiatives. The opening ceremony has finished with a speech given by Xu Jiali, the representative of the name partner of the Beijing Part of the Forum – Long An Law Firm, expressing his hopes for the future fruitful cooperation. After the official opening ceremony the participants of Warsaw-Beijing Forum took part in an office tour at Long An Law Firm office, which was a great chance to see, how a Chinese law firm premises and corporate culture differ from European ones. The day has finished with a welcome dinner at a traditional Chinese restaurant. For students it was a networking opportunity and possibility get to know each other better before the whole week of lectures and case studies.
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During the second day of the Beijing part of Warsaw-Beijing Forum, Polish and Chinese students were invited to visit the Embassy of the Republic of Poland. Participants were honored to meet Dr. Daria Lipińska-Nałęcz, Secretary of State in the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education and His Excellency the Ambassador of Poland, Tadeusz Chomicki. The meeting was a unique possibility to hold a discussion on the subject of Polish – Chinese cooperation in the field of higher education and academic achievements. A crucial role of students’ initiative was underlined, indicating a specific role of the Forum itself in the process of exchange. These valuable insights were also enriched by remarks of representatives of CUPL and Long An Law Firm. Thanks to the hospitality of the hosts, students were also able to gain general knowledge on the history of the Embassy and its surroundings.
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The Yonghe Temple is a monastery of the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism located in the Dongcheng District which Polish students visited on the second day of their sojourn in Beijing, enraptured them with bronze statues of the Buddhas of the Three Ages and the Five Hundred Arhat Hill.
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On Friday participants had a chance to meet representatives of DLA Piper Global Law Firm at their headquarters in Beijing. Three professional lectures as well as case studies provided students with a complete view of legal background of mergers & acquisitions, inbound and outbound transactions of Chinese companies, regulatory affairs and cross-border anti-corruption investigation. The meeting was a significant event reflecting continuity of the Forum, enabling students to experience the actual meaning of ‘international cooperation’ and realize the role of the Forum combining students’ theoretical knowledge with professionals’ practical approach, as DLA Piper Wiater Sp. k. (based in Warsaw) was partner of our Forum during the Warsaw Part.
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The visit in the National Museum of China, which flanks the eastern side of Tiananmen Square, enabled participants to broaden their knowledge of Chinese history and arts. A comprehensive exhibition covering the period from nearly 200 thousand years ago until today, offers an insight in a breathtaking variety of painted pottery, bronze vessels and jade artifacts setting the starting point for further development of Chinese arts.
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The Forbidden City, the most famous place in Beijing, used to be the palace of Chinese emperors and the center of power both during the Ming and Qing Dynasty. The wooden palaces are examples of great achievements of culture and art of ancient China. The Warsaw-Beijing Forum participants visited the most representative palaces of the Forbidden City: the Taihe Palace where the new emperor acceded to the throne and got married, the Zhonghe Palace where emperor watched the process of sacrificing and Baohe Palace where the emperor spent the New Year’s Eve and chose his ministers.
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HeJun Consulting Group, one of the most prestigious consulting groups in China, organized a case study for participants of the Warsaw-Beijing Forum. Students, divided into groups containing both Polish and Chinese representatives, were supposed to prepare an analysis of the case study and present their solutions to problems and business obstacles. After the presentation students started discussing their views.
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Professor Tomasz Giaro and Professor Franciszek Longchamps de Bérier presented to the Polish and Chinese participants the subject of ‘Polish legal tradition’ and ‘Values and principles of the law of succession on the example of the Roman Law’.
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The subject of the lecture ‘The Intercultural History and Culture of Chinese Law’ was covered by Professor Guo Chen, an expert in foreign legal history and the Chinese legal system.
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While walking through the Summer Palace, the main residence of royal members at the end of the Qing Dynasty, participants not only were introduced to the cultural heritage of China but also had an opportunity to admire a vast ensemble of gardens and palaces in Beijing.
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As the official part of the Forum came to an end, together with Chinese students we took a trip to visit the Great Wall, the symbol of Chinese civilization. We had a chance to visit the most representative and well-known part, Badaling Great Wall, promoted as the key national cultural relict that always attracts international tourists. It was a very important part of our Forum, as we all understand how crucial it is to comprehend the culture of other nationalities, history and their heritage.
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