COVID-19 and Economics: China, Asia and Beyond – Wenlan Qian, Ben Charoenwong
On January 23, the Chinese government locked down the city of Wuhan (Hubei Province). In subsequent days, similar measures were taken in other cities in Hubei and throughout China. These actions launched months of economic and social restrictions throughout the nation. Other regions in Asia have implemented similar policies. Last week, cities in China emerged from months of lockdown and the country seems poised for recovery. Outside of China, some regions are discussing and planning for re-opening. As much of the West continues to battle with COVID-19, the eyes of the world are on China and other Asian countries where the virus is temporarily contained, watching to see how their economies recover from the pandemic – and whether relaxed restrictions will result in a new wave of infections as some regions in Asia are experiencing a mild resurgence.
BFI-China, in collaboration with the Asian Bureau of Finance and Economic Research (ABFER), will host a series of virtual seminars to discuss emerging research on the economic implications of COVID-19 and its impact on China, Asia, and beyond. To present at a forthcoming seminar, please submit your research using this link.
Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis by Chang-Tai Hsieh, Zhiguo He, and Bernard Yeung, and selected papers for the Friday seminar will be announced by Wednesday.
The seminar will be held semi-regularly on Fridays, 8:30-10:00am Central Time USA or 9:30-11:00pm (Friday) Beijing Time. Please use the link below to join the seminar.
Join Live Seminar Submit Research
If prompted for a password when joining the seminar, please enter 666021.
Friday, April 24 Speakers
Wenlan Qian, Associate Professor and Dean’s Chair, Department of Finance NUS Business School; Deputy Director of Research, Institute of Real Estate Studies, National University Singapore
Paper: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Consumption: Learning from High Frequency Transaction Data
Ben Charoenwong, Assistant Professor of Finance, NUS Business School, National University of Singapore
Paper: Social Connections to COVID-19 Affected Areas Increase Compliance with Mobility Restrictions
Charoenwong Slides
Superpower Showdown: Discussion of New Book by Bob Davis and Lingling Wei
US-Chinese relations have been strained as the world’s two largest economies have engaged in trade conflict – escalating with the imposition of tariffs under the Trump Administration. In a new book, Superpower Showdown: How the Battle Between Trump and Xi Threatens a New Cold War, veteran journalists Bob Davis and Lingling Wei, explore the political and economic dynamics of US-China relations.
BFI-China hosted Davis and Wei for a virtual discussion of their book, moderated by Booth Professor of Finance and BFI-China Director Zhiguo He. They were joined by Booth Professor of Economics Chang-Tai Hsieh and Tsinghua University Dean of School of Economics & Management Chong-En Bai for a roundtable discussion on the book and the broader topic of US-China trade relationships. Following the roundtable, the panelists took audience questions.
Books are available for purchase here.
AGENDA
7:30 – 7:35 a.m. • Welcome and Introductions
- Zhiguo He, Fuji Bank and Heller Professor of Finance, Booth School of Business
7:35 – 8:30 a.m. • Roundtable Discussion
- Chong-En Bai, Mansfield Freeman Chair Professor, Department of Economics; Dean, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University
- Bob Davis, Senior Editor at The Wall Street Journal, DC Bureau
- Chang-Tai Hsieh, Phyllis and Irwin Winkelried Professor of Economics and PCL Faculty Scholar, Booth School of Business;
- Lingling Wei, Senior China Correspondent, The Wall Street Journal
- Moderator: Zhiguo He, Fuji Bank and Heller Professor of Finance, Booth School of Business
8:30 – 9 a.m. • Audience Questions