As world economic growth remains weak, substantial risks are hovering over China, as well as other economies of all sizes. These include persistent weakness in aggregate demand in developed economies and lackluster economic activities from developing countries. How will China cope with these challenges and what are the new bright spots for the Chinese economy?
This question was top of mind when the University of Chicago and Chicago Booth presented the Greater China Forum in Beijing, China, last September. Top global economic experts and industry leaders gathered at the two-day event at the Kerry Hotel—along with 500 attendees, many from the vibrant alumni communities of the University of Chicago and Chicago Booth—to discuss emerging issues and tough challenges facing China’s economy.
Hosted by the Chicago Booth Alumni Club of China, the event kicked off with welcome remarks from Madhav Rajan, Chicago Booth dean and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting. UChicago president Robert J. Zimmer delivered the keynote presentation, and throughout the two days, keynote lecturers included Raghuram G. Rajan, Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance; Jianqing Jiang, Chairman of Sino-CEEF Holding Company and former Chairman of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC); Liuping Xu, Chairman of China FAW Group Corporation; and Jianzhang Liang, co-founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of Ctrip.com International, Ltd.
“There is an enormous benefit of interactions and mutual engagement of University of Chicago scholars and students with Chinese scholars and students to bring multiple analytic, historical, and cultural perspectives to bear on fundamental problems of our times,” said President Zimmer. “We are deeply committed to this rich engagement in both China and Chicago, and look forward to building on the successes to date in order to deepen these important relationships.”
The event featured a series of panels from esteemed moderators and panelists that offered insightful and engaging discussions to navigate China's economic landscape. Booth alumni featured prominently during these sessions, including Dave Liguang Chenn, ’00, the founder, chairman of the board, and CEO of China Century Group, Inc., speaking on the consumption upgrade panel; Li Ren, ’02, the general manager of Orient Securities Asset Management Company Limited, addressing asset allocation; Zheng Zhang, ’05, chairman of Lakeshore Capital, speaking on the PE/VC panel; Allen Lau, ’99, the founder and CEO of Shanghai Weijia Technologies Inc., discussing how "Innovation Changes Life" on the entrepreneurship panel; Jerry He, ’04, speaking on the education panel, "Beyond Walls: a Technology Led Transformation in Education"; and Warren Wang, ’01, president for North Asia of Boston Scientific Corporation, talking about "An Innovative and Healthy Future" on the healthcase panel; among many other alumni.
“The multiple panels and the discussions I have had with the other attendees were extremely insightful and inspiring. This forum is the perfect platform for eminent economic experts from all around the world to gather and innovate to tackle the challenges facing the Chinese economy together,” said one event attendee. “I hope to attend more of these highly relevant and rewarding events in the future.”
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