Source: Lingnan College
Written by: Lingnan College
Edited by: Wang Dongmei 

The 5th Lingnan Forum was held in K.K. Leung Hall of Sun Yat-sen University on March 27, 2016. The theme of the forum was “Confidence and Motivation”. The forum, jointly organized by Lingnan College of Sun Yat-sen University and Caixin Media, brought together over one thousand attendees, including senior government officials, business executives and academic scholars, to exchange thoughts and wisdom on Chinese economic reform and innovation.

Mr. Xu Shaohua, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and Executive Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, delivered an opening remark at the forum. He indicated that confidence and innovation was based on a clear and focused innovation development strategy. Guangdong should consider innovation development as its own core strategy, enhance corporate innovation competence and deepen the application of technological achievement. He expressed great confidence that Guangdong could play a leading role in the innovation development. In his remark, he acknowledged Sun Yat-sen University for its important role in cultivating talents and developing innovative technology. He sincerely hoped that Sun Yat-sen University could make its way to the top list universities in the world and become a land of innovation.

Prof. Luo Jun, President of Sun Yat-sen University, extended his warmest welcome to all attendees of the forum. He emphasized the forum’s vital importance in bringing great minds and great ideas together on economic transition, industry upgrading, financial reform and investment opportunities from home and abroad. He hoped that the forum would benefit teachers and students in their research and disciplinary construction.


The morning session was hosted by Mr. Zu Jiangtao, Associate Director of Southern Television Guangdong Economy Channel (TVS-1). He introduced the keynote speeches made by the following distinguished speakers: Mr. Yao Yudong, Director General, Research Institute of Finance and Banking, People's Bank of China; Mr. Antony Leung Kam-chung, Group CEO of Nan Fung Group, Former Financial Secretary of HKSAR Government; Mr. Ding Jian (James Ding), Managing Director of GSR Ventures; Dr. Wang Jun, Adjunct Professor of Finance at the China Europe International Business School, Director of the CEIBS-World Bank China Centre for Inclusive Finance; and Ms. Wang Jingbo, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Noah Holdings Limited.

The first panel in the afternoon was hosted by Mr. He Fan, Chief Economist and Managing Director of Caixin Insight Group. The participants included Mr. Ji Min, Deputy Director General, Research Institute of Finance and Banking, People's Bank of China; Dr. Gao Jian, Former Vice Governor of China Development Bank; Prof. Lu Jun, Associate Dean of Lingnan College, Sun Yat-sen University; Mr. Yang Xiaojun, President of 9Fbank.com; and Ms. Zuo Xiaolei, former Chief Economist of China Galaxy Securities. They made an extensive discussion on the theme “Open, Reform and Supervision” from the aspects of financial supervision, supply side reform, diversification of financial form, the development of capital marketization and the education of financial talents.

The second panel was hosted by Prof. Zhang Jianqi, Professor of Strategic Management of Lingnan College and Director of Research Center for Strategy and Competitiveness. Invitees were: Dr. Tang Min, Counsellor of the State Council and Executive Vice Chairman of YouChange China Social Entrepreneur Foundation; Mr. Feng Xingya, Executive Director and Deputy General Manager of Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd; Mr. Wen Jianjun, Director and President of Shenzhen SJET Supply Chain Co., Ltd; Dr. Xiong Youjun, Associate General Manager and CTO of UBTECH Robotics Corp.; Mr. He Simo, Chairman of East Group Co., Ltd; and Mr. Li Xiaoyong, CEO of gongkong.com. These entrepreneurs shared the stories of their enterprises and answered questions on “Internet+” from the audience.

At the end of the forum, Prof. Liu Mingkang, Honorary Dean of Lingnan College, former Chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission and Chairman of the Lingnan Forum, briefly explained the meaning of the theme “Confidence and Motivation” and summarized 5 pieces of suggestion on returning to “people”. First, in this new era, acute sense is of great importance to avoid being deceived by skin-deep phenomena. Second, be determined and persistent when faced with uncertainties. Third, we need capabilities and courage to explore a new road full of unknowns. Fourth, we should have a good command of management to achieve the process to new goals. Fifth, we also need to have a good sense of control and be flexible.

The closing speech for the forum was made by Prof. Xu Xinzhong, Dean of Lingnan College and Executive Chairman of the Lingnan Forum. Dean Xu expressed his sincere gratitude to all guests and audience, alumni, sponsors and media for their great support for the Lingnan Forum.

Lingnan Forum, the biggest macroeconomic and financial forum in southern China with widespread national influence, focuses on the development trend of world economy and the process of Chinese economic development. The forum invites over a thousand leaders in political, business and academic fields to Guangdong Province, the forefront of the Chinese economic reform and economic transition, to analyse major economic issues at home and abroad, and make contributions to the new wave of China’s economic growth.