Lingnan University establishes Pan Sutong Shanghai-Hong Kong Economic Policy Research Centre to strengthen research on economic and financial development issues of Mainland China and Hong Kong

15 Dec 2014

 
 

To strengthen research on issues related to the economic and financial development of Mainland China and Hong Kong, Lingnan University has established the Pan Sutong Shanghai-Hong Kong Economic Policy Research Centre in collaboration with the Hong Kong-Shanghai Economic Development Association.

The Research Centre’s operation and research activities will be sponsored by a generous donation of HK$10 million from Mr Pan Sutong, Chairman of Goldin Group. Today (15 December) Lingnan University organised a ceremony when Mr Harvey Lee, Vice Chairman of Goldin Group, Mr Bankee Kwan, Vice-President and Honorary Secretary of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Economic Development Association and Prof Leonard K Cheng, President of Lingnan University signed the cooperation agreement for the Research Centre’s establishment. Apart from Mr Pan Sutong, other officiating guests attending the ceremony included Mr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen, Council Chairman of Lingnan University, Prof Albert Ip Yuk-keung, Chairman of Institutional Advancement Committee of Lingnan University, Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai, JP, President of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Economic Development Association, and Mr Tse Yung-hoi, Executive Committee Member of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Economic Development Association.

Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai, JP, President of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Economic Development Association pointed out that as the cooperation between Hong Kong and Mainland China becomes even more closer particularly with the back up of economic policies such as the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect scheme, he conceived the idea of the need to establish a professional economic policy research centre in Hong Kong. He was delighted that the idea was finally materialised with the support of and efforts by Mr Pan Sutong, Lingnan University and the Hong Kong-Shanghai Economic Development Association.

In his address at the Ceremony, Mr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen expressed his heartfelt thanks to Mr Pan Sutong for his generous donation in support of the Research Centre’s establishment. He pointed out that apart from being a distinguished entrepreneur, Mr Pan also made enormous contributions to the economic development of Mainland China and Hong Kong. It is the honour of Lingnan University to have Mr Pan’s unfailing support in the setting up of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Economic Policy Research Centre. “I hope that through the Research Centre’s outstanding team with rich experience in economic research, in-depth research on the economic policies of Mainland China and Hong Kong can be conducted, allowing Lingnan University to make further contributions to the economic development of the two places,” said Mr Auyeung.

Establishment of the Pan Sutong Shanghai-Hong Kong Economic Policy Research Centre aims to synergise resources and outstanding economic research expertise in Mainland China and Hong Kong to strengthen research on salient issues related to the economic and financial development of the two places. It will also provide research consultations on industry and economic policies, as well as offering policy consultations and advice to foster the mutual prosperity of Mainland China and Hong Kong. “I hope its first research outcome expected to roll out next year can attract wide attention and be recognised by the Government and related parties in the society. In the near future, the Research Centre can gradually develop to become one of the most well-known think tanks in Hong Kong and Mainland China, and play an important role in their economic development,” said Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai.

President Leonard K Cheng pointed out that Lingnan University has an outstanding economic research team capable of contributing to the research on the economic development of Mainland China and Hong Kong. “The policy research expertise of our economists includes international finance and trade, competition and industry policies as well as tax policies. In an article recently published in the journal China Economic Review, the number of papers published in the 50 most influential economic journals internationally from 2005 to 2009 was used as the indicator, which shows that Lingnan University’s Department of Economics ranks fifth among all institutions in China (including Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau),” said President Cheng. He said the Research Centre had commenced its operation gradually, and the first step is to set up a steering committee to lay down the Centre’s long term development plan.

The Pan Sutong Shanghai-Hong Kong Economic Policy Research Centre will be located in the campus of Lingnan University. Its preliminary plan is to complete at least three research projects every year on issues of concern. Research outcomes will be published in related media or academic journals, and seminars will be organised to facilitate exchange between different parties.