In Celebration of HKUST 25th Anniversary
As part of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) 25th anniversary global alum event in Beijing, School of Business and Management (HKUST Business School) hosted the “New Role of China in the World Economy” Conference in Beijing on 24 September. The Conference featured distinguished speakers: Prof Sir Christopher Pissarides, the 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economics and IAS Helmut & Anna Pao Sohmen Professor-at-Large of HKUST; and Prof Justin Lin, Director of the China Center for Economic Research at Peking University.
“This Conference is one of the major activities that mark our 25th anniversary this year,” said HKUST President Prof Tony F Chan, who officiated the event. “The business school is an integral part of HKUST, dedicated to nurturing our next generation of leaders. I am very pleased to see the School’s ongoing commitment to the economic advancement in China and the region by inviting world-renowned economists to share their expert views.”
In his keynote speech, Prof Pissarides says although growth is slowing down in China, there is still both scope and need to raise living standards further. Land reforms need to be supported by mechanisation of agriculture; investment needs to be more productive and more focused on SMEs; and market reforms need to encourage more innovation and technology adoption.
The keynote speech was followed by a panel discussion with current and former faculty of HKUST, including Prof Justin Lin, also former Senior Vice President and Chief Economist of the World Bank. Prof Lin believes China can achieve its growth target of 6.5 percent plus with support of a reasonably high level of investment in areas such as industrial upgrading, infrastructure, environmental improvement and urbanization, which not only help the nation create jobs, but improve productivity.
The discussion session explored the “Challenges and Opportunities of China’s Growth, Including Hong Kong” was moderated by Prof Leung Siu Fai, Head of Department of Economics of the HKUST Business School. Also joining the discussion were Prof Roger King, Director of Tanoto Center for Asian Family Business & Entrepreneurship Studies and Thompson Center for Business Case Studies, as well as Prof Francis Lui, Director of Center for Economic Development.
The conference that ended with a celebration dinner has attracted over 250 alumni and guests in Beijing. It is a series of year-round activities to celebrate HKUST 25th anniversary with its alumni and friends in major cities around the world, with the first inaugurated in London last year.
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