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Qin Min's reports on China and India

China and India are no doubt this year's highlight. I went to a workshop today for a scenario-based discussion on business prospects in these two Asian giants for the next 20 years. The views expressed on China interested me a lot.

According to most participants, IPR protection is one of the biggest concerns for western businesses in China. Interestingly, the scenario designer is no optimist either, as a reasonably quick fix of IPR is absent in even the best scenario case for China.

I totally agree on the importance and urgency of the IPR issue. In a sense, you can never overemphasize it. Piracy and counterfeiting are counterproductive not only commercially--as they cost lawful business money, but also strategically--as they may cost China its image and credibility. At the commercial level, those violators do not make distinction between foreign and domestic IPRs, which also harms the interests of China's domestic businesses. In short, IPR abuse is NOT in China's interest.

However, I cannot reconcile myself with the seemingly prevalent gloomy mood in the room. It is precisely out of recognition of the gravity and urgency of this issue that the Chinese government has acted in a very determined and almost ruthless fashion against IPR violation. The political will is there, and there is real improvement on the ground. Check the newspapers and you will be surprised at the large numbers of piracy factories being stormed and IPR pirates prosecuted every day in China. After the compulsory introduction of copyrighted software in the government, now the campaign is extending to the corporate sector.

The IPR issue is a complicated one, as it involves not only enforcement but also education and broader matters such as economic development and social inclusion. Moreover, given China's size, it is no easy job for any government to ensure the same forceful implemention in each and every province or city. But let's have confidence in China. With a right attitude and cooperative approach on the part of western businesses and governments, I believe there will be an even quicker solution of IPR problems in China.

Task for now? Let's do it!

Podcast: Uday Khemka explains the environment issues

Uday Khemka explains the environment issues and why we should all care about them.

Podcast: Shai Agassi, Member of the board, SAP

Shai Agassi comments his experience in Davos and a controversy that happened to him following a podcast, where his words were taken out of context.

Podcast: Nicole Schwab explains the Young Global Leaders program

Nicole Schwab explains the Young Global Leaders program of the World Economic Forum.

-Loic Le Meur

Podcast: Alejandro Ramirez

Alejandro Ramirez is a Young Global Leader in Mexico, he compares the role of an entrepreneur and that of politicians in his Country.

-Loic Le Meur

Podcast: Bassem Awadallah gives an update about Jordan and the Middle-East

Bassem Awadallah gives an update about Jordan and the Middle-East, he is Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of King Abdullah II Fund For Development.

-Loic Le Meur

Podcast: Piia-Noora Kauppi

Piia-Noora Kauppi, Member of the European Parliament and Young Global Leader, expresses her views on success. Piia-Noora also wrote a post about it.

-Loic Le Meur

Podcast: What is success ?

A lunch with the Young Global Leaders trying to understand their definition of success. Moderated by Professor Gary Hamel, with talks from Helmy Abouleish (Egypt) and Joeroo Billimoria (Child Helpline International, The Netherlands)

-Loic Le Meur

How to define success ?

I found the YGK lunch on "Defining success" very interesting. The question we we're asked was how do we as YGL's define success?

I think there's no easy answer to this. Success in politics isn't as easy to measure as success in business. And you shouldn't be too successful, otherwise you get too much envy and things won't get done. Politics is a team sport, No one can achieve great results alone.

As a politician, I would like to be measured not so much what I have achieved but what I have genuinely tried to achieve. The aims are much more important than the real results. Of course, everyone wants to deliver results, but that's sometimes not dependent on your work or success, but pure luck.

I think it was great to notice that even many men among YGL's respect their role as a parent. Parenthood gives you new insight on what really is success. Children are really your best educators. They are keeping your feet in the ground and remembering us what really is important in human life.

Personally I would regard myself successful if I am able to raise two balanced adults from my 2 year old and 4 month old. Hopefully, that day will come, when I can witness this.

Former prime minister of Israel Mrs. Golda Meir once said: "If you are going to be honest with yourself, honest to your close ones, respect your neigbours and do things which are not only good for you but good for others, if you are going to give your best and work hard, it really doesn't matter what business you are in. Maybe this is only a matter of luck and coincidence." (free translation by me)

I think she got it right.

Anyway, it was an interesting topis and an interesting debate.

Piia-Noora Kauppi
MEP, Finland
Piia-Noora Kauppi is a Young Global Leader