The commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Centre for Polish Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and a seminar on contemporary Polish studies were held online on Dec 10.

Representatives from BFSU and the embassy of the Republic of Poland in China, as well as scholars from renowned universities and institutions in China and Poland, attended the events.

Experts and scholars from renowned universities and institutions in China and Poland attend the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Centre for Polish Studies at BFSU on Dec 10. [Photo provided to bfsu.edu.cn]

Zhao Gang, a member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee, vice-president of the university and director of the Centre for Polish Studies, thanked those who have supported the center’s development and affirmed the center’s accomplishments in academic research, talent training, cultural exchanges and social services in the past decade.

Zhao noted that during the past 10 years, exchanges under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) have boosted Sino-Polish ties. The center will make new achievements in education and scientific research, act as a role model in international talent training and stay committed to building a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

BFSU will support the development of the center with cooperative universities in Poland and inject new impetus into Sino-Polish cultural exchanges, mutual learning and bilateral relations, Zhao said.

Wojciech Zajączkowski, Poland’s ambassador to China, extended warm congratulations on the 10th anniversary of the center and praised the performance of BFSU’s Polish major in language teaching and research, literature translation and high-level talent cultivation.

According to Zajączkowski, language and literature are the basis for understanding foreign culture and society. Studies of Polish history, economy, society and culture are needed to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Poland. 

The Centre for Polish Studies at BFSU has long played a leading role in academic research and Polish studies is of great significance in enhancing political, economic, trade and cultural cooperation between the two countries. It is hoped that both sides will further strengthen the construction of research centers and continuously improve cooperation, Zajączkowski noted.

Ryszard Koziolek, rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice, gave congratulations to the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the center and recognized its fruitful achievements.

Koyovikm said BFSU and the University of Silesia have maintained frequent exchanges. In recent years, the two sides have carried out practical cooperation through the Centre for Polish Studies and have achieved good results. He believes that BFSU and Polish universities will make progress in Polish research through collaboration.

Liu Zuokui, deputy director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Professor Zdzislaw Mach from the Institute of European Studies at the Jagiellonian University delivered keynote speeches on “Poland and China-CEEC cooperation” and “changes in value identification in today’s Poland”.

In his speech, Liu explained Poland’s foreign policies and strategic principles and analyzed the role it plays in China-CEEC cooperation, as well as its attitudes and expectations. Liu said that in a time of great change, similar demands between China and Poland in industrial transformation and green energy will offer huge potential for further cooperation.

Mach expounded on the opposition and conflicts between traditional Polish values and liberalism in European countries from the perspective of Polish politicians. He noted that joining the EU represents Poland’s acceptance of liberalism, while the majority of people in Poland still uphold traditional values. The country is facing a contradiction between a closed society based on traditional ideology and an open one based on liberalism.

Experts and scholars from the political, economic, literary, education and press circles in China and Poland exchanged views on Polish politics, economy and social affairs and discussed Polish cultural and literary research, high-level talent training, and Sino-Polish educational exchanges and cooperation. Some also analyzed issues concerning people-to-people exchanges and cultural development between the two countries under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the seminar, attendees deliberated the work report of the School of European Languages and Cultures for the past decade and looked forward to its plans for the coming years. Representatives from the school and more than 40 experts from China and Poland attended the seminar.

The Centre for Polish Studies at BFSU was established in December 2011. Over the past 10 years, the center has been committed to Polish studies in an all-around way, providing academic support for the development of Sino-Polish relations. It has made major achievements.