Prof. Edward Chen Kwan-yiu, Honorary Professor at HKMU and the Business School of HKU, shares his insights on China's economic rise.
Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU President, says the development of new quality productive forces is a key focus area for our country and Hong Kong for driving rapid economic development.
Group photo of Prof. Edward Chen Kwan-yiu, Honorary Professor at HKMU and the Business School of HKU (centre); Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU President (right); and Prof. Charles Kwong Che-leung, HKMU Vice President (Administration and Corporate Development) (left).
Group photo of Prof. Edward Chen Kwan-yiu, Honorary Professor at HKMU and the Business School of HKU (fifth right), and distinguished guests including the Hon Elsie Leung Oi-sie (fourth left), Dr the Hon Jose Yu Sunsay (fifth left), Dr Vincent Woo Wing-fai, Deputy Chairman of the HKMU Foundation Advisory Committee (fourth right); with HKMU Council Members and University management.
Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) today (8 April) held its third “Talk of the Metropolis” of the year, featuring Prof. Edward Chen Kwan-yiu, Honorary Professor at both HKMU and the Business School of The University of Hong Kong. Speaking at a talk titled “China's Road to a Global Economic Superpower: from Township and Village Enterprises to New Quality Productive Forces”, Prof. Chen shared his insights on China's economic rise and the key role of new quality productive forces in this transformation.
During the talk, Prof. Chen examined the rise of China as a global economic superpower in terms of the sequencing, timing and implementation of reforms, with particular emphasis on the role of township and village enterprises and the significance of new quality productive forces. “New quality productive forces advocate for the 'quality' of increased productivity through technological advances and innovation, rather than the 'quantity' of increased labour or capital investment,” Prof. Chen explained.
He emphasised the importance of education in fostering adaptability, brainpower and creativity (ABC), saying, “Society should not only focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education but should also promote HELP (history, ethics, literature and philosophy). STEM without HELP becomes HELPLESS.”
Addressing the current trade war between China and the United States (US) and global geopolitical instability, Prof. Chen pointed out that China's economic growth may face short-term challenges but that it can adapt to these issues in the medium to long term. He believes the trade war can be resolved through negotiation, asserting that mutual investment between China and the US cannot be decoupled and that the technological gaps between the two countries will gradually narrow. In this process, Hong Kong can fully utilise its advantage as a “super-connector”, acting as an investment intermediary and participating in basic research to support the development of new quality productive forces.
Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU President, expressed his gratitude to Prof. Chen for his insightful presentation. “The development of new quality productive forces is a key focus area for our country and Hong Kong for driving rapid economic development,” he said. “As always, HKMU will continue to actively leverage our strengths and flexibly introduce programmes that are closely aligned with industry development and needs, in order to cultivate high-quality professional talent to support the social, economic and technological development of Hong Kong and the entire region.”
He added that HKMU has been strengthening collaboration with Mainland institutions and organisations and arranging in-depth study tours for students to explore emerging industries in the Mainland, such as new energy vehicles and artificial intelligence, allowing them to experience first-hand the practical application of new quality productive forces.
Prof. Chen is a renowned economist and educator. He currently serves as an Honorary Professor at both HKMU and the Business School of The University of Hong Kong, a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Finance, and Chairman of the Council of Advisers of the Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. He served as President of Lingnan University in Hong Kong from 1995 to 2007, transforming the institution into a liberal arts university. He was President of the Qianhai Institute for Innovative Research in Shenzhen from 2014 to 2017. Prof. Chen has extensive experience in the public sector. He served as Chairman of the Consumer Council from 1991 to 1997, laying the foundation for a competition policy in Hong Kong. Prof. Chen was also a member of Hong Kong's Legislative Council from 1991 to 1992 and Executive Council from 1992 to 1997.
The “Talk of the Metropolis” series aims to provide a platform for people from all walks of life to be inspired by the views of experts and scholars, thereby having a positive impact on social development. All talks in the series are broadcast on the University’s “Knowledge for All” programme on Sunday mornings on TVB Pearl. To learn more about the public lecture series and watch past videos, please visit https://hkmu.edu.kg/pao/talk-of-the-metropolis/.
Prof. Edward Chen Kwan-yiu, Honorary Professor at HKMU and the Business School of HKU, shares his insights on China's economic rise.
Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) today (8 April) held its third “Talk of the Metropolis” of the year, featuring Prof. Edward Chen Kwan-yiu, Honorary Professor at both HKMU and the Business School of The University of Hong Kong. Speaking at a talk titled “China's Road to a Global Economic Superpower: from Township and Village Enterprises to New Quality Productive Forces”, Prof. Chen shared his insights on China's economic rise and the key role of new quality productive forces in this transformation.
During the talk, Prof. Chen examined the rise of China as a global economic superpower in terms of the sequencing, timing and implementation of reforms, with particular emphasis on the role of township and village enterprises and the significance of new quality productive forces. “New quality productive forces advocate for the 'quality' of increased productivity through technological advances and innovation, rather than the 'quantity' of increased labour or capital investment,” Prof. Chen explained.
He emphasised the importance of education in fostering adaptability, brainpower and creativity (ABC), saying, “Society should not only focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education but should also promote HELP (history, ethics, literature and philosophy). STEM without HELP becomes HELPLESS.”
Addressing the current trade war between China and the United States (US) and global geopolitical instability, Prof. Chen pointed out that China's economic growth may face short-term challenges but that it can adapt to these issues in the medium to long term. He believes the trade war can be resolved through negotiation, asserting that mutual investment between China and the US cannot be decoupled and that the technological gaps between the two countries will gradually narrow. In this process, Hong Kong can fully utilise its advantage as a “super-connector”, acting as an investment intermediary and participating in basic research to support the development of new quality productive forces.
Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU President, expressed his gratitude to Prof. Chen for his insightful presentation. “The development of new quality productive forces is a key focus area for our country and Hong Kong for driving rapid economic development,” he said. “As always, HKMU will continue to actively leverage our strengths and flexibly introduce programmes that are closely aligned with industry development and needs, in order to cultivate high-quality professional talent to support the social, economic and technological development of Hong Kong and the entire region.”
He added that HKMU has been strengthening collaboration with Mainland institutions and organisations and arranging in-depth study tours for students to explore emerging industries in the Mainland, such as new energy vehicles and artificial intelligence, allowing them to experience first-hand the practical application of new quality productive forces.
Prof. Chen is a renowned economist and educator. He currently serves as an Honorary Professor at both HKMU and the Business School of The University of Hong Kong, a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Finance, and Chairman of the Council of Advisers of the Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. He served as President of Lingnan University in Hong Kong from 1995 to 2007, transforming the institution into a liberal arts university. He was President of the Qianhai Institute for Innovative Research in Shenzhen from 2014 to 2017. Prof. Chen has extensive experience in the public sector. He served as Chairman of the Consumer Council from 1991 to 1997, laying the foundation for a competition policy in Hong Kong. Prof. Chen was also a member of Hong Kong's Legislative Council from 1991 to 1992 and Executive Council from 1992 to 1997.
The “Talk of the Metropolis” series aims to provide a platform for people from all walks of life to be inspired by the views of experts and scholars, thereby having a positive impact on social development. All talks in the series are broadcast on the University’s “Knowledge for All” programme on Sunday mornings on TVB Pearl. To learn more about the public lecture series and watch past videos, please visit https://hkmu.edu.kg/pao/talk-of-the-metropolis/.
SIGN UP FOR OUR LATEST NEWS
