Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM) held its 2024 Advisory Board Meeting on October 25, 2024. It was the board's 25th annual meeting since its establishment. A total of 22 board members attended the meeting, 18 of whom were from China's Hong Kong region and foreign countries. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with representatives of the advisory board at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing in the morning.

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with representatives of the advisory board of the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM) in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

Noting that China's economic operation is stable overall and making progress, Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the country is speeding up the implementation of a package of incremental policies, as it strives to achieve its annual economic and social development targets.

He highlighted the ever-growing development momentum driven by reform and innovation, which serves to promote China's steady and long-term economic development.

China always firmly supports economic globalization and will open its door only wider to the world, according to Ding, who also said that the country is willing to share the fruits of development with the world.

Ding expressed hope that the advisors would continue to actively provide suggestions and support the development of China's economy and education system.

Citing the country's abundant development opportunities, Apple CEO Tim Cook, chair of the advisory board, said that Apple is willing to expand investment in China -- to achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.

Zhou Xiaochuan, vice chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia and China's chief representative to the Boao Forum, vice chairman of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and former governor of the People's Bank of China; Wang Zhijun, deputy secretary-general of the State Council; Ma Zhaoxu, China's vice foreign minister; Liu Mingkang, chairman of the former China Banking Regulatory Commission; Xiao Yanshun, deputy director of the Research Office of the State Council; Xiong Sihao, China's vice education minister; Qiu Yong, secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee; Li Luming, president of Tsinghua University and vice chairman of the advisory board; Gu Binglin, director of the Institute of Advanced Study at Tsinghua University and former president of Tsinghua University; Yang Bin, vice president of Tsinghua University; Qian Yingyi, vice chairman of the advisory board of Tsinghua SEM, distinguished professor of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Tsinghua University and fourth dean of Tsinghua SEM; Bai Chong-En, distinguished professor of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Tsinghua University and dean of Tsinghua SEM; Yu Xiaoxiao, deputy secretary-general of Tsinghua University and director of the Office of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee (Office of the President, Tsinghua University); Xue Jian, secretary of the Party Committee of Tsinghua SEM, along with directors from related bureaus and departments under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, attended the meeting.

Wang Qishan, China's former vice president and the honorary chairman of the advisory board, met with the representatives and hosted a banquet at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in the evening. Zhou Xiaochuan; Guo Shuqing, former secretary of Party Committee and deputy governor the People's Bank of China and chairman of the former China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC); Liu Mingkang; CHEN Jie, China's vice education minister; Li Luming, Gu Binglin; Jin Yilin, counselor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Zhu Yunlai, former president and CEO of China International Capital Corporation (CICC); Zhao Chunjun, the second dean of Tsinghua SEM; Qian Yingyi; BAI Chong-En, Xue Jian and members of the Tsinghua SEM Joint Committee of Party and Administration were present.

The Advisory Board meeting took place at Tsinghua SEM in the afternoon and was chaired by Tim Cook. He welcomed six new members and thanked all board members, including four outgoing members for their contributions and support.

Tim Cook chairs the advisory board meeting.

Li Luming conveyed Tsinghua SEM's first Dean and Founding Honorary Chairman of the advisory board Zhu Rongji's heartfelt greetings and gratitude to all the members and specially-invited experts for their kind help to Tsinghua University and Tsinghua SEM. As the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee emphasized on promoting high-standard opening up, Li said, Tsinghua University remains committed to openness and collaboration in the face of complex and evolving new circumstances and is vigorously fostering high-level, globally-minded and innovative talents to address challenges shared by all humanity. Li Luming introduced the latest progress in the school's reform and development, thanking the advisory committee members for coming to Tsinghua's classrooms to provide students with opportunities for face-to-face communication and learning from the experiences of world-class business leaders. He looked forward to working with the members to promote the high-quality development of the university and the school.

Li Luming gives a speech at the meeting.

Bai Chong-En reported to the advisory board on the progress of the school's work over the past year. He followed up on last year's suggestions from the board, and addressed highlights of teaching programs, faculty and research, and activities related to the advisory board. This year's theme is Creating Greater Global Impact. By introducing Tsinghua SEM's strategy, Bai elaborated on the opportunities and challenges of the internationalization of higher education in China and provided thinking and measures on how to lift the school to the next stage of going global. The members discussed and offered constructive advice for the school's development.

Bai Chong-En speaks at the meeting.

Attendees included Qian Yingyi; Raymond T. Dalio, founder, CIO Mentor, and member of the Bridgewater Board, Bridgewater Associates, LP; Srikant M. Datar, George F. Baker Professor of Administration and dean of Harvard Business School; Michel Doukeris, Global CEO of AB InBev; Victor K. Fung, group chairman of the Fung Group; Gu Binglin; Erika H. James, dean of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; Richard Li, founder and chairman of Pacific Century Group; Óscar García Maceiras, CEO of Inditex Group; Sir Andrew Mackenzie, chairman of the board of Royal Dutch Shell p.l.c; Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart Inc; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, managing director and Group CEO of Mubadala Investment Company; Brian L. Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation; Dilhan Pillay SANDRASEGARA, executive director and CEO of Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited and Temasek International Pte. Ltd; Stephen A. Schwarzman, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Blackstone; John L. Thornton, fourth chairman of the advisory board (2010-2013), chairman of Redbird Capital Partners, co-chair of the board of Asia Society; Jacob Wallenberg, chair of the board of Investor AB; Marjorie Yang, chairman and CEO of Esquel Group; Zhao Chunjun; and Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG. In addition, Liu Mingkang, Yang Bin, Xue Jian and members of the Tsinghua SEM Joint Committee of Party and Administration were present.

The 2024 Tsinghua SEM Advisory Board meeting

Evan G. Greenberg, chairman and chief executive officer of Chubb Limited and Chubb Group; Sir Andrew Mackenzie, Óscar García Maceiras , Victor K. Fung, Marjorie Yang, Oliver Zipse, Dilhan Pillay SANDRASEGARA and John L. Thornton lectured in the Tsinghua SEM classrooms and interacted with students from various programs during the meeting.

Tsinghua SEM Advisory Board members pose for a group photo.

The Tsinghua SEM Advisory Board was established in October 2000 and is composed of prominent business executives, business school deans, renowned scholars and experts from both domestic and international arenas, including Nobel laureates in economics. Zhu Rongji, the first dean of Tsinghua SEM, serves as the founding honorary chairman of the advisory board. China's former vice president Wang Qishan is the honorary chairman now. The board's mission is to strengthen connections between Tsinghua SEM and various sectors globally, to enhance its teaching and research capacities, and to support its journey towards becoming a world-class school of economics and management.

Source: Xinhuanet, Tsinghua University and Tsinghua SEM

Editor: Ren Zhongxi