2012 CKGSB Annual Forum explores New Ideas for a Changing Wo

January 13, 2012 - The CKGSB Annual Forum, held in Sanya, China brought together more than 1,100 high-level executives from China's business community, government leaders and leading academics to discuss how China's cultural development can lead to a global leadership role for the nation and its businesses.

In a world that has undergone extraordinary changes in recent years, China faces the challenges of a persistent global financial crisis and rapid social transformations from Cairo to Wall Street. The CKGSB Annual Forum 2012, held on January 8, gave business leaders insight into how China's cultural power be leveraged to strengthen Chinese enterprises in overcoming global challenges and creating new opportunities.

The theme of the CKSGB Annual Forum, "China: Pioneering New Ideas for a Changing World". Forum host and noted Phoenix Television anchor, Chen Luyu, welcomed the CKGSB community and the forum speakers to share in understanding China's potential global leadership role. The forum acknowledged the world's troubled economies and social upheaval while simultaneously calling for Chinese businesses leverage soft power to become leaders in the global community.

Vice Governor of the Hainan Provincial Government, Mr. Jiang Sixian; CKGSB Founding Dean, Xiang Bing; Executive Vice President of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIIDS) and Ambassador, Mr. Wu Jianmin; and CKGSB Honorary Professor and Eminent New Confucian Scholar, Professor Tu Wei-ming presented their views on the future of innovation and the integration of Chinese culture into the business world as China takes an increasingly prominent role on the global leadership stage.

CKGSB chose the forum theme and speakers in the belief that China's future depends on creating what the school calls a "new business culture," which places greater value on innovation, long-term sustainability and social responsibility, and less emphasis on short-term profits. The forum was focused around these themes and a discussion of how such transformations will also allow China to lead in changing the world for the better.

CKGSB's Dean, Xiang Bing, one of China's most influential thinkers on the relationship between business, government and society, spoke on the need for China to redefine the relationship between business and government in order to reduce economic inequality.

"This is a new time for business and government relations. Firstly we must establish a government power check mechanism and achieve meritocracy. In China, we need a system of accountability that encourages the government to take more responsibility, and encourages the development of companies which will in turn provide greater opportunities to grow China's middle class."

He stressed that China's new business culture must cultivate innovative entrepreneurs who focus on not only how to make money, but how to apply wealth responsibly—a concept that CKGSB has integrated into the core of its curricula.

Dean Xiang Bing of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), Ambassador Wu Jianmin and Hainan Province Vice Governor Jiang Sixian at the CKGSB Annual Forum 2012 in Sanya, China

Ambassador Wu framed the day's discussions with frank analysis of the West's troubled economic situation and the growing importance of emerging economies. Wu presented his view that while China matches world powers such as the United States in "Hardware" or resources, China still needs to develop "Software"—or ideas and innovation—internally so that growth is generated domestically and China can achieve true ownership of its development as opposed to playing "catch-up" or "copycat" to the West. Wu went on to state that this new global situation requires that countries work harder to find common ground. "We need to hold high the banner of peace, cooperation and development," said Wu of China's diplomatic efforts. "We must find and expand convergent points in order to create common ground."

Ambassador Wu Jianmin addresses the audience at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) Annual Forum 2012 in Sanya, China

Eminent New Confucian philosopher Tu Wei-ming delivered a speech entitled "21st Century Confucianism: Entrepreneurship and cultural agreement." Tu emphasized the importance of China's dialogue with the West and argued that China's Confucian roots could play an important role in its future global leadership. "The core value of Confucianism is benevolence," said Tu. "Benevolence is intertwined with courtesy, rightness and wisdom. All these values can enrich the people."

The morning forum concluded with briefings from leaders of creative industries, including: Vice President, of Sohu Video, Mr. Liu Chun; Senior Vice President of Beijing Galloping Horse Media, Mr. Zhang Yibai; Documentary film maker, Mr. Zhang Yiqing; Vice President of China National Garment Association, Mr. Mao Jihong; and Director of Today Art Museum, Mr. Zhang Zikang. These private business leaders and entrepreneurs offered industry-specific insights into how China's soft industries and creative industries are becoming an integral part of its national development and global business identity.

Participants at the forum commented on the impressive scope and diversity of issues and ideas covered by the forum speakers, with one describing the event as, "a high end gathering of social networks, intelligence, wisdom and concepts." The positive reactions showed that in its fifth year, the CKGSB Annual Forum continues to effectively generate and provoke top-level thought leadership in the business community.

January 13, 2012 - The CKGSB Annual Forum, held in Sanya, China brought together more than 1,100 high-level executives from China's business community, government leaders and leading academics to discuss how China's cultural development can lead to a global leadership role for the nation and its businesses.

In a world that has undergone extraordinary changes in recent years, China faces the challenges of a persistent global financial crisis and rapid social transformations from Cairo to Wall Street. The CKGSB Annual Forum 2012, held on January 8, gave business leaders insight into how China's cultural power be leveraged to strengthen Chinese enterprises in overcoming global challenges and creating new opportunities.

The theme of the CKSGB Annual Forum, "China: Pioneering New Ideas for a Changing World". Forum host and noted Phoenix Television anchor, Chen Luyu, welcomed the CKGSB community and the forum speakers to share in understanding China's potential global leadership role. The forum acknowledged the world's troubled economies and social upheaval while simultaneously calling for Chinese businesses leverage soft power to become leaders in the global community.

Vice Governor of the Hainan Provincial Government, Mr. Jiang Sixian; CKGSB Founding Dean, Xiang Bing; Executive Vice President of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIIDS) and Ambassador, Mr. Wu Jianmin; and CKGSB Honorary Professor and Eminent New Confucian Scholar, Professor Tu Wei-ming presented their views on the future of innovation and the integration of Chinese culture into the business world as China takes an increasingly prominent role on the global leadership stage.

CKGSB chose the forum theme and speakers in the belief that China's future depends on creating what the school calls a "new business culture," which places greater value on innovation, long-term sustainability and social responsibility, and less emphasis on short-term profits. The forum was focused around these themes and a discussion of how such transformations will also allow China to lead in changing the world for the better.

CKGSB's Dean, Xiang Bing, one of China's most influential thinkers on the relationship between business, government and society, spoke on the need for China to redefine the relationship between business and government in order to reduce economic inequality.

"This is a new time for business and government relations. Firstly we must establish a government power check mechanism and achieve meritocracy. In China, we need a system of accountability that encourages the government to take more responsibility, and encourages the development of companies which will in turn provide greater opportunities to grow China's middle class."

He stressed that China's new business culture must cultivate innovative entrepreneurs who focus on not only how to make money, but how to apply wealth responsibly—a concept that CKGSB has integrated into the core of its curricula.

Dean Xiang Bing of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), Ambassador Wu Jianmin and Hainan Province Vice Governor Jiang Sixian at the CKGSB Annual Forum 2012 in Sanya, China

Ambassador Wu framed the day's discussions with frank analysis of the West's troubled economic situation and the growing importance of emerging economies. Wu presented his view that while China matches world powers such as the United States in "Hardware" or resources, China still needs to develop "Software"—or ideas and innovation—internally so that growth is generated domestically and China can achieve true ownership of its development as opposed to playing "catch-up" or "copycat" to the West. Wu went on to state that this new global situation requires that countries work harder to find common ground. "We need to hold high the banner of peace, cooperation and development," said Wu of China's diplomatic efforts. "We must find and expand convergent points in order to create common ground."

Ambassador Wu Jianmin addresses the audience at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) Annual Forum 2012 in Sanya, China

Eminent New Confucian philosopher Tu Wei-ming delivered a speech entitled "21st Century Confucianism: Entrepreneurship and cultural agreement." Tu emphasized the importance of China's dialogue with the West and argued that China's Confucian roots could play an important role in its future global leadership. "The core value of Confucianism is benevolence," said Tu. "Benevolence is intertwined with courtesy, rightness and wisdom. All these values can enrich the people."

The morning forum concluded with briefings from leaders of creative industries, including: Vice President, of Sohu Video, Mr. Liu Chun; Senior Vice President of Beijing Galloping Horse Media, Mr. Zhang Yibai; Documentary film maker, Mr. Zhang Yiqing; Vice President of China National Garment Association, Mr. Mao Jihong; and Director of Today Art Museum, Mr. Zhang Zikang. These private business leaders and entrepreneurs offered industry-specific insights into how China's soft industries and creative industries are becoming an integral part of its national development and global business identity.

Participants at the forum commented on the impressive scope and diversity of issues and ideas covered by the forum speakers, with one describing the event as, "a high end gathering of social networks, intelligence, wisdom and concepts." The positive reactions showed that in its fifth year, the CKGSB Annual Forum continues to effectively generate and provoke top-level thought leadership in the business community.