Sessions with Professor Young - 7

Sessions with Professor Young - 7

by Team G (Margaret, Isha, Srikar, Faith, Martina)

Professor Leslie Young's discourse on the industrial revolution that has been enabled by the Chinese social structure as well as incentives focused on development was insightful.

Particularly useful was understanding how an economy can still thrive despite the large proportion of state-owned assets and effectively the lack of a free market.

Professor Young's ability to convey sociological models that underpin the behaviour of individuals was critical to deducing why there are new forms of economic models emerging.

This in itself brings new economic, social and business problems that are difficult to solve. An example of this is the inability to solve the pollution problem in an economically viable way, because the problem emerges out of market failure.

The pace of China's growth is apparent as you look out the window on the bus to the glossy Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks.

Outside the convention centre on the Easter weekend workers diligently continue to put brick and tar together to contribute to the infrastructure, illustrating China's commitment to become the worlds top superpower.

Professor Young delivered the presentation in a way that contextualises the Chinese model to kiwi students.

A critical avenue for economic growth in New Zealand would be to find niches or competencies that could solve China's problems.

The lectures have made it apparent that there is a clear imperative for New Zealand to build capabilities and relationships to enable trade with China.