On November 4-5, 2017, the 31st National University Seminar on Socialist Economic Theories and Practices, sponsored by the steering team of the Seminar and organized by the School of Economics, Renmin University, was staged at Renmin University . The annual academic event was attended by over 200 experts and scholars from more than 70 universities across China, centering on themes including “Innovation and Development of Socialist Political Economy with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era”, “China’s All-around Economic Reform and Development in the New Era”, and “The New 'Belt and Road' Initiative and Global Economic Governance under the Opening-up Policy”.
At the invitation of the organizer, Prof. Tao Yitao, vice secretary of the CPC committee of Shenzhen University (SZU), secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of SZU, and director of the China Center for Special Economic Zone Research (CCSEZR), a key research base for humanities and social sciences under the Ministry of Education, Prof. Zheng Zunxin, deputy director of the College of Economics, SZU, and a team from SZU attended the annual event. When addressing the seminar, Prof. Tao Yitao highlighted the following three points: First, the most crucial task during the implementation of the “Belt and Road” Initiative is to build mutual trust among countries by tolerating and recognizing cultures and values that are different from ours. The recognition of different cultures and values is not about sheer assimilation or denial of another culture, but a process where we can achieve win-win results through mutual respect, realize common prosperity through inclusive development, and enhance our cognition and enrich our civilization by learning from advanced cultures of human society; Second, we must admit the existence of differences, disagreement or even conflicts. They are unavoidable during regional cooperation, so the point is about how we can resolve, minimize, mitigate, and settle those differences and conflicts. In this respect, we should return to and draw from Lao Zhuang Philosophy; Third, the “Belt and Road” Initiative represents an information and value proposition by China to the international society, a change in the cooperation method between China and the rest of the world, and an opportunity created by China for the international community. It is bound to reshape the world’s political and economic landscapes in a profound way and its sound development will benefit all human beings.
During the annual event, Prof. Tao Yitao had in-depth academic discussions and exchanges and took group photos with senior experts and scholars including the prominent economist ninety-year-old Mr. Wei Xinghua and Prof. Hong Yinxing, a former secretary of the CPC committee of Nanjing University and also a famed economist.
Prof. Tao Yitao delivers a keynote speech titled “The Belt and Road Initiative Implementation System - Cultural Constraints”
Prof. Tao Yitao pictured together with the prominent economist ninety-year-old Mr. Wei Xinghua
Group photo of Prof. Tao Yitao, SZU team and Mr. Wei Xinghua
Group photo of Prof. Tao Yitao, SZU team, and Prof. Hong Yinxing, a former secretary of the CPC committee of Nanjing University and also a famed economist
Group photo of the 31st Annual National University Seminar on Socialist Economic Theories and Practices
