The CES Business Meeting was held at the JW Marriott on Jan. 5, 2008.  The meeting began promptly at 6:00PM with the welcoming statement by local host and board member, Professor Lizheng Shi.  President Jack W. Hou reported on the CES business issues focusing on the expansion of student membership and the Amendments to the Bylaws.  The establishment of the CES Regents marks an important step in the further development of the Society as the Regents will steer the CES towards a greater and more prosperous future (refer to Bylaw Amendments for more details).  The Chair of the first Board of Regents is the immediate past President Prof. Haizheng Li.

 

President Hou then reported on the CES 2008 China Conference “New Phase of China’s Economic Development” (Nankai University, Tianjin, China, June 17-20, 2008).  He highlighted the innovative feature of five Roundtables that will host a panel-audience debate on the hottest and toughest economic issues facing China (refer to Roundtables in the announcement section).  In addition, with the aid of the Board, President Hou secured four top journals (China Economic Review, Contemporary Economic Policy, the Chinese Economy, and the Journal of Family and Economic Issues) to each dedicate one issue to papers from the CES 2008 China Conference.  In addition, two other journals (Economic Development and Cultural Change, and the Journal of International and Global Economic Studies) will also work closely with the Conference and publish a symposium of papers.

 

Board members Dr. Zhuo (Adam) Chen and Prof. Tony Fang detailed the call for papers and the Chow Awards.  This was followed by a brief statement from President-elect Holly Wong.  Before the closing of the business side of the meeting, President Jack Hou presented past President and new Regent Chair, Prof. Haizheng Li, with an award recognizing his distinguished contribution as President of the CES for 2006-2007. 

 

Immediately following the end of the Business Meeting, CES recognized the financial support of the Chinese Universities present and invited them to stage their recruiting presentation.  Represented universities and organizations include:  Nakai University (the host university of the CES China Conference), Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Peking University GSM, Renmin University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Southwest University of Finance and Economics, Peking University (GSM), and World Scientific Publishing. 

 

The Business Meeting adjourned to the CES Reception where 200+ members networked and talked to the various universities.  The atmosphere was warm and pleasant.  By 8:40PM, more than half of the attendees were still at the reception gathered in clusters exchanging information and well wishes.  The Board then invited those interested to gather and enjoy a seafood buffet at the nearby Harrah’s where, via advanced arrangement, the CES group was given a more private corner of the restaurant.  Good food was enjoyed with pleasant company.