Peking University, May 12, 2019: On the afternoon of May 10, the opening ceremony of the 8th China Youth Economic Forum in the New Era was held at Dongxu Academic Presentation Hall, School of Economics, Peking University. Ye Jingyi, vice chair of Peking University Council, Dong Zhiyong, dean of the School of Economics of Peking University, and Wang Yiming, secretary of the League Committee of Peking University, attended the forum. Present at the forum were other honorable guests from home and abroad, especially Professor Thomas J. Sargent, the 2011 Economic Nobelist who attended the opening ceremony as a special guest.
At the scene of the Forum
In the ceremony, Ye Jingyi awarded Sargent the title of Honorary Professor of the School of Economics. The participants jointly unrolled the theme scroll with the calligraphy meaning “Centenary May Fourth, Outlining New Chapters” to inaugurate the forum. Dong Zhiyong, Wang Yiming, and the student representative Wang Shengbo gave speeches respectively.
At the opening ceremony
Dong Zhiyong said that the School of Economics tried to grasp the new requirements for young economists in the new era by studying in-depth the spirit of Xi’s speech on the anniversary of the May Fourth Movement. He pointed out that training qualified successors is the soul of Peking University and the principle that the School of Economics had always adhered to. He also encouraged young economists to keep to truth and strive for progress, making struggle the brightest tint of youth.
Wang Yiming confirmed the important role played by the Forum in building consensus and promoting knowledge sharing among youth and called on all delegates to echo the May-Fourth patriotic initiative in answer to the new zeitgeist. He encouraged the delegates to cherish the precious opportunities of academic discussions and put forward new theories and methods in overcoming difficulties so as to become pioneers and devotees at the forefront of times.
The student representative Wang Shengbo said that Peking University was the cradle, witness, and inheritor of the spirit of the May Fourth Movement. By sharing his attitude as a contemporary young economist, he encouraged students to devote themselves to national construction, actively assume social responsibility, and become pursuers and builders of the great rejuvenation of China.
At last, Sargent gave a report themed “American Tariff and Trade Policy: History and Present” and discussed trade balance and trade deficit with students in the free-questioning session.
Sargent giving his speech
The China Youth Economic Forum in the New Era was inaugurated on the centennial anniversary of Peking University School of Economics in 2012. Over the past seven years, the Forum has been committed to providing a platform of learning, exchanging and expressing ideas for outstanding young Chinese economists. On the occasion of the 70th Birthday of New China and the 100th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement, this forum would review tradition and further echo the patriotic initiative of May Fourth predecessors to serve as the expression channel of young economists in the new era.
Written by: Chen Yubing
Edited by: Wei Yunqi
