Cambridge-Beijing forum will explore the role of private enterprise in transforming China’s economy
Academics, entrepreneurs, business people and policy makers from Cambridge and China will meet in Beijing next month to debate how private enterprise can help to realise the hopes expressed in the Third Plenum.
Hosted by Cambridge Judge Business School, the Cambridge-Beijing Forum on 25 March will explore how the bold reforms proposed by the 18th Party Congress Third Plenum can be implemented.
The Third Plenum presented an ambitious 60-point plan for economic, social and legal reform in China in November 2013. Now the private sector is grappling with how to make the plan a reality and engaging with international friends, like Cambridge, to share ideas.
The main subject for discussion will be one of the cornerstones of the plan, which is that the ‘market will play a decisive function in resource allocation’, signalling a significant shift towards the critical role of the private sector in the development of the Chinese economy and society. The focus will be on Shenzhen, the first and most successful Special Economic Zone to be set up in China, and now one of the most economically developed regions of the country.
Chaired by journalist and talkshow host Yang Lan, speakers will include Xu Shaochun, Chairman of Kingdee, one of the largest providers of enterprise management software and e-business application solutions in Asia Pacific, and Wang Shi of China Vanke, China’s largest residential real estate developer. From Cambridge Judge Business School, Michael Kitson, University Senior Lecturer in International Macroeconomics, and Simon Taylor, University Lecturer in Finance, will speak.
Dean of Cambridge Judge Business School, Christoph Loch said:
We want to reach out to China as the country embarks on an ambitious and visionary agenda for the future of the Chinese economy. We have much to learn from each other. The University of Cambridge is at the heart of Europe’s most successful and dynamic entrepreneurial cluster. The cluster shows that markets rarely work automatically; they need the support of networks and institutions that create a level playing field. We can learn a lot from the Chinese experiment, but also offer some lessons relevant to the Chinese agenda. I am excited about this tremendous opportunity that is bringing us together.
Wang Shi, Chairman of China Vanke and the Vanke Foundation, said learning from both Shenzhen and Cambridge was key to understanding how to create and nurture an environment where enterprise can flourish:
Shenzhen and Cambridge are unique cities where entrepreneurship, innovation and philanthropy take root and thrive. Entrepreneurs in Shenzhen inspire China’s endeavour to embrace sustainable development, rule of law, diversity and fair market competition. By studying the cases of Shenzhen and Cambridge, it is a great opportunity for us to understand the essence of the entrepreneurial and innovative ethos which will transform China’s future. I am confident that great ideas and partnerships will result from our debate.