Chang'an Forum - (First Series)

Author: Editorial Committee of China Economic 50 Forum
Publisher:
Publish Date: July 1, 2006
Features: The "Chang'an Lecture Series," originally known as the "Chang'an Forum," has been organized by the "China Economic 50 Forum" since 2001 and has now held its 100th session. The collection presented to readers consists of selected records of speeches delivered by Chinese economic scholars at the forum over its 100 sessions. We have compiled these into a volume to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the "Chang'an Lecture Series."
The China Economic 50 Forum is an entirely non-official academic organization aimed at facilitating regular exchanges and discussions among scholars. It brings together researchers to discuss ongoing projects and inspire new ideas. Unlike the U.S. President's Council of Economic Advisers, which is a government body, or organizations like France's "Economic 40" (organized by the Prime Minister's Office) or Germany's "Circle of Wise Men" (associated with the German Academy of Sciences), the China Economic 50 Forum has no official ties. It functions more like a "reunion of peers," though some members hold government positions. Although the National Information Center and the China Economic Information Network played a significant organizational role in its early stages, the forum itself is not a formal institution but rather a platform for scholars to engage in spontaneous exchanges.
Since its establishment, the China Economic 50 Forum has hosted numerous "closed-door" (non-media-reported) seminars. However, the "Chang'an Lecture Series" is an open policy forum for the public, with no participation fees. Each session invites an economic expert or scholar to deliver a 40–60-minute presentation on a recent research topic, followed by a 30-minute Q&A and discussion. In just one and a half hours, participants can delve deeply into a single issue. For listeners, the lectures and Q&A sessions provide valuable insights and knowledge, offering a quick overview of the latest research frontiers in the field. For speakers, it serves not only as a platform to share their findings but also as an opportunity to receive direct feedback, identify issues, and refine their research.
For years, the China Economic 50 Forum has consistently held the "Chang'an Lecture Series" every two weeks. Nearly all scholars and experts who have made significant contributions to economic theory and policy have presented their research at the forum, covering a wide range of topics with in-depth discussions. Looking back, the event has been quite impressive. As a result, both the publishing industry and the forum's organizers believe that compiling the speeches or papers from the "Chang'an Lecture Series" and other related public forums may hold academic value and help amplify the social impact of the research.
During the publication process of this series, the authors have naturally made revisions and additions to their papers or speeches. To some extent, the collected works differ from their original forum presentations. However, this is also a product of the forum itself, reflecting its role. The forum's purpose is to refine and perfect ideas through broader discussions and debates. Nevertheless, this series still captures the issues that have been a focus of discussion in recent years, serving as a historical record.
We will continue to organize the forum's activities, and thus this series will be regularly updated. It may become an even more timely reflection of the topics discussed at the forum, allowing readers who cannot attend in person to stay informed and engage in economic discussions. After all, China's economic reform and development require broader participation, more new ideas, approaches, and democratic mechanisms to address the challenges we face and will encounter, ensuring sustainable progress.