Date: November 11, 2016

Publisher: News Center

Lin Yifu, vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, chief economist and senior vice president of the World Bank, lectured in JNU's Centennial Hall on "Traditional Development Assistance and Economic Growth of Developing Countries From New Structural Economics" on Nov. 7 to commemorate the university's 110th anniversary. JNU Vice President Song Xianzhong hosted the lecture.

(Professor Lin lecturing at JNU's Centennial Hall)

With the school motto "unity of knowledge and practice," Lin extended his philosophical conception: in the social sciences, we should further recognize that knowledge and practice should be united, and we can succeed only through real understanding. The theory that helps us transform the world well is to help us understand the world well.

Lin concluded by stressing that the new structural economics is different from today's mainstream economic theory in that it is "a 180-degree transformation of the frame of reference." He advised first looking at what developing countries have, what can they do, what can do well and how they can have their own competitive advantages. Meanwhile, he warned students: "Do not copy the theory, and look at the theory with critical thinking. There is a old saying: the letter kills, but the spirit gives life."

(Students sitting on sides of stage and aisles in the overflowing hall)