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2025 China Economic Symposium

CKGSB 9th Economic Symposium

Explore China’s Economy, Consumption and Private Sector

In light of the aggressive tariff war initiated by the Trump administration, understanding the economic outlook and business landscape in these uncertain times is vital for enterprises seeking sustainable growth in China and beyond.

As highlighted in China’s 2025 Government Work Report, the nation is prioritizing consumption, technological innovation, and the pivotal role of the private sector in driving economic development. Can these offset the risks posed by the tariff hikes? What strategies are needed to effectively stimulate China’s consumption? What is the role and contribution of the private sector in shaping China’s economic landscape, and how can they be stimulated to foster jobs, innovation, sustainable development?

Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) is honored to host the 9th China Economic Symposium, bringing together executives, economists, investors, and academics to address these and other pivotal questions.

This gathering aims to provide valuable insights into how businesses can navigate and capitalize on recent disruptive developments, fostering a deeper understanding of their implications for both domestic and foreign enterprises operating in China.

Learn more about the CES series from past years here.

  • Date June 18, 2025
  • Time 14:30-18:00
  • Location CKGSB Beijing Campus
  • Format In-person, closed-door (with media invited)
  • Language English, with simultaneous interpretation into Chinese

Speakers

LI Haitao

Dean, Dean's Distinguished Chair Professor of Finance, and Director of the Family Business Research Center, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)

PhD, Yale University

LI Wei

Professor of Economics, Associate Dean for Asia and Oceania, Director of Case Center and Director of Big Data Economic Research Center, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)

PhD, University of Michigan

Martin WOLF

Associate Editor and Chief Economics Commentator, Financial Times

Louise LIU

Founder and CEO, Wusawa Advisory

Former Managing Director, The Economist Group, Greater China

Chris TORRENS

Managing Director of Greater China, APCO

WANG Guangyu

Dean at the China Academy of New Supply-side Economics and chairman at China Soft Capital, CKGSB Alumnus

Lucille LIU

Bloomberg News Beijing Bureau

ZHOU Chunsheng

Professor of Finance, Associate Dean for Executive Education Programs, Executive Academic Director for Executive MBA Program and Chairman of CKGSB Educational Foundation, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)
 
PhD, Princeton University

Lixin Xu (Colin)

Professor of Economics, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)

PhD, University of Chicago

Crystal HAN

VP, Sales and Marketing, IQ Air China

WANG Naichen

CKGSB Alumnus, President, Chinnovates
* Speakers are listed in the order of appearance.

Event Agenda

  • 13:45 – 14:30
    Guest Registration & Networking
  • 14:30 – 14:45
    Opening Keynote
    Li Haitao
    Opening Keynote

    SPEAKERS

    • LI Haitao - Dean, Dean's Distinguished Chair Professor of Finance, and Director of the Family Business Research Center, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)

      PhD, Yale University
  • Session 1

    The Future of Consumption in China

    The Future of Consumption in China

    SPEAKERS

    • LI Wei - Professor of Economics, Associate Dean for Asia and Oceania, Director of Case Center and Director of Big Data Economic Research Center, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)

      PhD, University of Michigan
  • 14:45 – 15:00
    Presentation
    Li Wei
    Presentation

    SPEAKERS

    • LI Wei - Professor of Economics, Associate Dean for Asia and Oceania, Director of Case Center and Director of Big Data Economic Research Center, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)

      PhD, University of Michigan
    • Martin WOLF - Associate Editor and Chief Economics Commentator, Financial Times
  • 15:00 – 15:30
    Fireside Chat over Zoom
    Li Wei, Martin Wolf
  • 15:30 – 16:15
    Panel Discussion: How to Boost China’s Consumption and Restructure the Domestic Demand
    Louise Liu, Chris Torrens, Wang Guangyu
    Moderated by Lucille Liu
    Panel Discussion: How to Boost China’s Consumption and Restructure the Domestic Demand

    SPEAKERS

    • Louise LIU - Founder and CEO, Wusawa Advisory
      Former Managing Director, The Economist Group, Greater China
    • Chris TORRENS - Managing Director of Greater China, APCO
    • WANG Guangyu - Dean at the China Academy of New Supply-side Economics and chairman at China Soft Capital, CKGSB Alumnus

    Moderated by

    • Lucille LIU - Bloomberg News Beijing Bureau
  • 16:15 – 16:35
    Tea Break
  • Session 2

    The Importance of the Private Sector in China’s Economic Growth

  • 16:35 – 16:50
    Keynote Speech
    Zhou Chunsheng
    Keynote Speech

    SPEAKERS

    • ZHOU Chunsheng - Professor of Finance, Associate Dean for Executive Education Programs, Executive Academic Director for Executive MBA Program and Chairman of CKGSB Educational Foundation, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)
       
      PhD, Princeton University
  • 16:50 – 17:35
    Panel Discussion: What Is the Role of Private Sector in promoting China’s Economy
    Crystal Han, Wang Naichen, Colin Lixin Xu
    Moderated by Zhou Chunsheng
    Panel Discussion: What Is the Role of Private Sector in promoting China’s Economy

    SPEAKERS

    • Crystal HAN - VP, Sales and Marketing, IQ Air China
    • WANG Naichen - CKGSB Alumnus, President, Chinnovates
    • Lixin Xu (Colin) - Professor of Economics, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)

      PhD, University of Chicago

    Moderated by

    • ZHOU Chunsheng - Professor of Finance, Associate Dean for Executive Education Programs, Executive Academic Director for Executive MBA Program and Chairman of CKGSB Educational Foundation, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)
       
      PhD, Princeton University
  • 17:35 – 17:40
    Closing Remarks
  • 17:40 – 18:00
    Networking

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