Assessment of Master Thesis – Opponent
Study programme:International Economic Relations
Field of study:International Business – Central European Business Realities Academic year:2020/2021
Master Thesis Topic:Trade and investment relationship between Czech Republic and China: Contenders for Czech’s favour
Author’s name:Lu Yang
Ac. Consultant’s Name:doc. Ing. Ludmila Štěrbová, CSc.
Opponent:Ing. Jaroslav Halík, MBA, Ph.D.
Criterion Mark
(1–4)
1. Overall objective achievement 1
2. Logical structure 2
3. Using of literature, citations 1
4. Adequacy of methods used 2
5. Depth of analysis 2
6. Self-reliance of author 2
7. Formal requirements: text, graphs, tables 1
8. Language and stylistics 2
Comments and Questions:
The Master Thesis focuses on trade and investment between the Czech Republic and China in the context of the One Belt One Road initiative and the 17+1 process. The author explores the historical and current Czech-Chinese political and economic relations and explores possibilities in the area of logistics and other trade areas in the context of the New Asia-Europe Continental Bridge Economic Corridor. She conducted an interview with Huawei Consumer Business Department manager in Prague about the specific position of China’s companies in the Czech Republic and the satisfaction of Chinese entrepreneurs operating here.
This part brings many actual views on the topic and authentic comments from business people. In this respect, I evaluate the text positively. Just a bit more own author’s conclusions could have been added.
The second part of the theses is devoted to the examination of China’s strategic expansion into the EU and Central and Eastern European Countries. Dunning’s conventional FDI theory was used and a comprehensive overview of Chinese investments in CEEC was given with a special focus on the
structure of the reciprocal export of goods between China and the Czech Republic. All facts are up to date, all resources were properly cited. Regardless of the compilation character of the text, the author proved a deep knowledge of the subject, including some theoretical models (Balassa’s RCA). In the third part, the attitudes of the Czech government and media towards the Sino-Czech economic relationship were analyzed. The author used data from the China-CEE Institute and examples on the awareness of Czech people about the OBOR initiative and 17+1. In the overall conclusion, the author expresses the hope that Czech-Chinese trade and political relations will continue to improve. She states that despite the significant trade deficit, China’s investments are beneficial and necessary for the Czech Republic. Formally, the work meets the requirements set by the relevant regulations, therefore I recommend the work for the defense before the relevant evaluation committee. Based on the defence the final grade can be 1 or 2. Questions:
1) Which sectors of China’s economy are attractive for Czech companies? Give examples. 2) How can the Czech Republic benefit from Germany-Chinese economic and political relations?
Conclusion: The Master Thesis is recommended for the defence.
Suggested Grade: 2
Date: 15/01/2021 Ing. Jaroslav Halík, MBA, Ph.D.
Opponent
