SMU China Forum 2014: discussing the next phase of economic reform

BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- China has entered in to a different phase of economic growth and social reform. To discuss in detail the issues related to this change, Singapore Management University (SMU) held its second China Forum, themed “The Next Phase of Economic Reform: The New Normal”. Academics and industry representatives from a variety of sectors were in attendance.

In his opening address, SMU President Arnoud DE MEYER cited speeches by China President Xi Jinping, in which he said that under “new normal” conditions, China's economic growth has become more stable, and driven by more diverse forces. In addition, Prof. De Meyer mentioned that, according to President Xi, the Chinese economic structure “has been improved and upgraded, and the Chinese government has vigorously streamlined administration and delegated power, further unleashing market vitality”.

Speaking on the challenges which come with such change, Prof. De Meyer said that “President Xi noted that there are risks, but he struck an optimistic note by highlighting that China’s economy remains robust, with strong job growth, low inflation and rising incomes”.

Faced with this new reality, the SMU China Forum 2014 discusses and analyses China’s economic growth, its social and political impact, and its impact on the world, through topics ranging from China’s financial reform, the internationalisation of the RMB, the rule of law in China, which was also the focus of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held last month, and the challenges under China’s ‘new normal’ conditions.

In the second part of his opening address, Prof. De Meyer introduced the university’s China Initiatives centre, the organizer for the China Forum.

In continuation from 2013, the SMU China initiatives aims to raise the profile of SMU in China as a research university in the broad field of social sciences. SMU has been collaborating with different sectors in China, including business, government and civil society, to nurture China-ready and bicultural graduates.

One of this year’s highlights is the collaboration between SMU and Tsinghua University on the Double Master of Science in CFO Leadership Programme.

As the main goal of SMU is to become the Knowledge Hub of Asia, SMU has been broadening its engagement between SMU faculty members and their counterparts at leading Chinese universities in joint research and PhD co-supervision. “I am sure the unique insights of China generated from this research will be useful to our students, the academia, governments, and businesses.” Prof. De Meyer said in his opening address.

(Source: Xinhuanet Singapore)