On June 14, 2016, the first in the world Chinese Book Center was opened at SWPS University in Warsaw. The ceremony coincided with the official visit of Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China, to Poland. The Center is the result of the cooperation between China International Publishing Group and SWPS University.
SWPS University has been building educational and cultural ties between Poland and China for many years. The University is a leading center for East Asian Studies, conducts research projects on the contemporary changes in the region, and organizes scientific conferences on South-East Asia.
SIGNING CEREMONY
The official signing ceremony, took place at the main campus of SWPS University in Warsaw. The meeting created an opportunity to further discuss Polish-Chinese cooperation.
The Chinese delegation included:
- Mr. Guo Weimin - Vice-Minister of State Council Information Office
- His Excellency Mr. Xu Jian - Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Poland
- Mr. Lu Cairong – Vice-President, China International Publishing Group
- Mr. Jiang Yonggang – Director General, China International Publishing Group
- Mr. Xu Bu - President, Foreign Languages Press
- Mr. Yu Tao - President, China Pictorial
The Polish delegation included:
- Professor Andrzej Eliasz – Rector, SWPS University
- Professor Teresa Gardocka - Vice-Rector for International Relations
- Professor Krzysztof Gawlikowski - Director, Center for East Asian Civilization
- Paweł Kowalski, Ph.D. - Director, Office of International Relations
- Radosław Stanczewski - Coordinator, International Projects
The invited guests included Mr. Juliusz Szymczak-Gałkowski, Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and a representative of the Department for Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.
Each great civilization is based on books that are essential to its identity. In China, the tradition of written texts and their study has been fundamental to the culture. Hence, the creation of the Chinese Book Center is a practical, but also a very symbolic step...
prof. Krzysztof Gawlikowski
FIRST CHINESE BOOK CENTER IN THE WORLD
“It is a very important event. We are opening the first in the world Chinese Book Center under the auspices of China International Publishing Group. It is an extension of the existing library, located at the Center for East-Asia Studies at the SWPS University. For the next five years, SWPS University will be receiving approximately 300 publications on Chinese culture, politics and economy, per year. We are delighted that our cooperation with Chinese authorities and universities continues to develop in such a positive way,” says Professor Teresa Gardocka, Vice-Rector for International Relations.
“I think that both, our Center for East Asian Civilization and our innovative Asian Studies program, have been appreciated by Beijing. Therefore, SWPS University has been chosen for the location of the first in the world Chinese Book Center,” comments Professor Krzysztof Gawlikowski. “Each great civilization is based on books that are essential for its identity. In China, the tradition of written texts and their study has been fundamental to the culture. Hence, the creation of the Chinese Book Center is a practical, but also a very symbolic step, because it provides our students and readers with an opportunity to learn about contemporary China and about Chinese culture, including the classic Chinese texts. The Chinese Book Center will significantly enrich our book collection, which we are systematically expanding,” adds Professor Gawlikowski.
EAST-ASIA LIBRARY AT SWPS UNIVERSITY
The East Asia Library has been developed under the auspices of the Center for East-Asian Civilization at SWPS University. Currently, the collection holds nearly 18,000 books and periodicals pertaining to various aspect of East Asian Studies, including history, political and economic relations, social sciences, art and culture, ethnography, religion, philosophy, literature and linguistics.
There is also a variety of handbooks and materials helpful in learning East Asian languages.
Publications on all aspects of China and Chinese culture, published in Chinese and other languages comprise over 60% of the current East-Asia Library at SWPS University. More about the East-Asia Book Library »
COOPERATION WITH CHINA
SWPS University partners with many higher education institution in East-Asia, including the following Chinese universities: Capital Normal University in Beijing, Chongqing University of Technology, and Renmin University of China. In 2013, we launched Asian Studies, program, which equips students with skills necessary in professions that rely on Europe-Asia relations, including administration, international organizations and business. Currently, there are over 100 students enrolled in the program.
Chinese students are one of the largest international groups at SWPS University. Currently, there are 59 students enrolled in bachelor and master programs, 17 on a student exchange program, and 34 in our Preparatory Schools (total of 110 students).
{myFlickr}feed=photoset,photoset_id=72157667104660634,displaymode=gallery{/myFlickr}