2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. Through four decades of reshaping internal structures and opening up to external actors, China orchestrated an utterly unprecedented project of rapid economic growth and social development, drawing attention from scholars around the world. On this occasion, Institute for Global Industry (IGI), Tsinghua University, together with Technology and Management Centre for Development (TMCD), Oxford University, Chinese Economics Association, UK/Europe (CEA UK/Europe) and the Journal of Chinese Economics and Business Studies (JCEBS) jointly hosted an academic conference on “China’s Path to the New Era” on September 9-10 at Tsinghua University. It was also for commemorating the 30th Anniversary of CEA UK (1988-2018), the 10th Anniversary of CEA Europe (2008-2018) as well we the 15th Anniversary of JCEBS (2003-2018). The conference consisted of open forum, close-door symposium and paper session. Scores of experts in the fields of economics and management from China and abroad attended the conference.

The conference opened with remarks from the hosts. Prof. Jizhen LI, Associate Dean of the School of Economics and Management (SEM), Tsinghua University took the podium first to welcome all attendants on behalf of the school. He observed that the forthcoming technological and industrial revolution could completely reshape the global value chain and consequently, the Chinese economy. Prof. Wenxuan HOU, the 30th President of CEA UK/Europe remarked that the success of the CEA was inseparable from the momentous changes in the Chinese economy during the last few decades. He pledged to further the CEA’ cause to create a globally influential platform for the study of Chinese economics and business. Prof. Xiaolan FU, JCEBS Editor-in-Chief introduced JCEBS to the assembly as a journal devoted to supporting global academic ventures in China and publishing theoretical and practical research on Chinese economics and business. She stressed that the JCEBS not only values a classical approach to research but also welcomes more innovative perspectives and theories with open arms

On the open forum, Prof. Justin LIN from Peking University, Prof. Gary H. Jefferson from Brandeis University, Prof. Weiying ZHANG from Peking University, Prof. Jun ZHANG from Fudan University, Prof. Fang CAI, academician from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Prof. Xiaolan FU from Oxford University gave keynote speeches on China’s development from the perspective of development paradigm, technological innovation, and institutional change, respectively.

Advancements in information technology and artificial intelligence herald the arrival of a new technological age, and with it comes a paradigm shift that will have a profound impact on the modern industrial system. How will China embrace the new era of development and interconnectedness? In the afternoon close-door symposia “Innovation & Paradigm Shift” and “Globalization, China and the World Economy,” dozens of scholars, industry experts, and policymakers from China and around the world had a free and in-depth discussion. Prof. Hengyuan ZHU from Tsinghua University and Prof. Shaojia LIU from Peking University chaired the symposia, respectively. Having one-day productive exchange of ideas, Prof. Hengyuan ZHU finally concluded with hope that insightful thoughts contributed by all would definitely inspire further research to guide China’s economic development.

On September 10th, the themed paper session gathered a number of scholars from both Europe and China and they presented their ongoing researches on innovation, state economy, globalization and fiscal policies from business and economics perspectives.

Followed by the CEA Presidents’ forum, Prof. Shaojia LIU from Peking University, Prof. Yuan LI from University of Duisburg-Essen, Prof. Wenxuan HOU from University of Edinburgh, and Prof. Xiaobing WANG from University of Manchester discussed topics ranging from reform of state-owned enterprises to the Belt and Road Initiative. Prof. Shujie YAO from Chongqing University chaired the forum.