Chang'an Forum (No.1)

Author: Editorial Committee of China Economic 50 Forum
Publisher:
Publish Date: July 1, 2006
Features: The "Chang'an Forum" (formerly known as "Chang'an Lecture Series"), organized by the China Economic 50 Forum, has been held since 2001 and has now reached its 100th session. The collection presented to readers is a selection of speeches from the 100 sessions of the forum, compiled into a volume to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The China Economic 50 Forum is a completely non-official academic organization aimed at facilitating regular exchanges and discussions among scholars, allowing them to discuss ongoing research topics and inspire new ideas. Unlike the U.S. President's Council of Economic Advisers, which is a government agency, or organizations like France's "40 Economists" (organized by the Prime Minister's Office) or Germany's "Clever Group" (associated with the Academy of Sciences), the China Economic 50 Forum has no official ties. It functions more like a "reunion of peers," even 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 voluntarily engage in discussions.
Since its establishment, the China Economic 50 Forum has hosted numerous "closed-door" (unreported in the media) seminars. However, the Chang'an Forum is an open policy forum for the public, with no participation fees. Each session invites an economist or scholar to deliver a 40-60 minute speech 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 speeches and Q&As provide a wealth of information and insights, offering a quick overview of the current state of research in the field. For speakers, it is not only a platform to share their findings but also an invaluable opportunity to receive criticism, identify issues, gather feedback, and refine their research.
For years, the China Economic 50 Forum has consistently organized the Chang'an Forum every two weeks. Nearly all scholars and experts who have made significant contributions in the fields of economic theory and policy have presented their research on this platform, covering a wide range of topics with in-depth discussions. Looking back, it has been quite impressive. This is precisely why publishers and the forum's organizers believe that compiling the speeches or papers from the Chang'an Forum 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 the original forum presentations, but this is also a testament to the forum's achievements, reflecting its role. After all, 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 of concern and discussed 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, perhaps more timely in reflecting the topics discussed at the forum. This will allow more readers who cannot attend the sessions to stay informed and engage in the discussions on economic issues in various ways. Ultimately, China's economic reform and development require broader participation, more new ideas, innovative approaches, and greater democratic mechanisms to address the challenges we face and those yet to come, ensuring sustainable progress.