Congratulatory Letter on the Founding of World Financial Outlook

Congratulatory Letter on the Founding of World Financial Outlook

Dear Yanlai, Wang Jun, and Baodong,

Greetings as if we were meeting face to face. Upon learning of your establishment of World Financial Outlook in Hong Kong, I am filled with joy, like the surging tides of the Victoria Harbour, lingering in my heart. This publication is not only a testament to the intellectual efforts of you three but also a vibrant continuation of the shared ideals and aspirations of our 1986 Wuhan University economics cohort, embodying the enduring spirit of Luojia Hill in this new era.

Strolling down the corridors of memory, the Luojia Hill of the 1980s feels like yesterday. In the atmosphere of “liberal education” pioneered by President Liu Daoyu, how fortunate we were to absorb Professor Zeng Qixian’s profound lectures on the history of economic thought, sensing the depth of theory through his rigorous scholarship; to follow Professor Dong Fureng in exploring the essence of development economics, contemplating China’s reform path through his insightful teachings; and to grasp the practical value of economics through Professor Wu Xinmu’s institutional analysis and Professor Gu Shengzu’s theories of innovation. Those intellectual exchanges in the classrooms under the cherry blossoms and by the East Lake, those late-night debates on planning versus markets, fairness versus efficiency, remain the most cherished foundation of our intellectual world.

Each generation has its own Long March. As university students of the late 1980s, we have now entered our sixties. That golden era without the internet offered a vast intellectual landscape—under the dim lights of the library, we passed around mimeographed poetry collections; in late-night dorm discussions, we debated the fate of our nation and the world. It was an idealistic dawn, where every young heart brimmed with the desire to change the world. Compared to today’s fragmented 996 culture, we were perhaps fortunate to have more time for deep, uninterrupted thought. Without endless streams of information, we gained depth in reflection; without instant responses, we found space for contemplation. This nourishment has sustained us over nearly six decades, keeping our commitment to society alive. Now, though our hair may be tinged with frost, we remain on the journey. This is not an elegy for youth but a continuation of our mission—our lifelong trek proves that idealism never fades with time, and the power of thought transcends the boundaries of age. This is our generation’s Long March, from the dawn of the 1980s to the light of the future.

Looking at the world today, the evolution of economic thought is dazzling. The century-long dialogue between Keynes and Hayek reverberates anew amid the tides and countercurrents of globalization—on one hand, governments intensify interventions to address crises; on the other, the digital age fuels waves of decentralization. Behavioral economics challenges the foundation of the “rational actor,” environmental economics redefines the ethics of development, and geopolitical tensions imbue every economic decision with complexity. In this era of intellectual disorientation, your decision to launch an economic journal in Hong Kong—a global metropolis that, despite its challenges, continues to shine with the light of freedom and the rule of law—is a visionary act worthy of admiration.

Your individual journeys, like three streams from different sources, will surely converge into a profound reservoir of thought. Yanlai’s publishing experience at the People’s Publishing House and insights from the U.S. endow the journal with an international perspective; Wang Jun’s decades of navigating the securities market infuse theory with the warmth of practice; and Baodong’s interdisciplinary wisdom, from chemistry to economics, combined with his deep experience in banking, will bring unique observational insights. This fusion of diverse backgrounds is the most valuable asset for addressing the complexities of today’s economic realities.

Hong Kong, the “Pearl of the Orient,” despite its trials, remains a prime vantage point for observing the transformations of the global economy, thanks to its robust legal foundation, free market environment, and international platform. Here, you can deeply explore the unique path of China’s economic development while grasping the pulse of the global economy, creating a symphony of economic thought at the confluence of Eastern and Western civilizations.

I firmly believe that World Financial Outlook will become an indispensable beacon of thought in this era. I hope it will remain clear-headed amid the clamor of voices, uphold rationality in the midst of competing schools of thought, and pursue truth in the complexity of reality, allowing the Luojia spirit of “self-improvement, perseverance, truth-seeking, and innovation” to shine anew on the shores of Victoria Harbour.

May this publication:

• Pierce the fog like the morning light, illuminating the true nature of economic dynamics;
• Bridge divides like a sturdy span, connecting the realms of theory and reality;
• Pass on the torch like a sacred flame, perpetuating the academic mission of our Wuhan University economics community.

With heartfelt congratulations, I wish World Financial Outlook to stand firm in Hong Kong, gaze upon the world, and become a clear stream and a benchmark in the field of economics! I look forward to witnessing its legend unfold in the years to come.

With warm regards and best wishes,

Your eternal classmate,

Kan Ting

Mid-Autumn Festival, 2025