On the afternoon of May 22, 2026, the 167th session of the "Jingshi Economics & Management · Expert Forum Lecture Series" was successfully held in Conference Room 1722 of the Rear Main Building. The event invited Professor Tong Jiadong from the School of Economics, Nankai University as the keynote speaker, who delivered an in-depth sharing themed Unified Domestic Market and External Markets of a Rising Major Country: Historical Reflections. The lecture was presided over by Professor Wei Hao.

At the opening of the lecture, Professor Wei Hao gave a detailed introduction to Professor Tong Jiadong’s academic background and accomplishments. Professor Tong Jiadong is a Chair Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Nankai University. He once served as Vice President of Nankai University, and currently holds the positions of Director of the China Pilot Free Trade Zone Research Center and Director of the WTO Research and Consultation Center at the university. He was selected into the Trans-Century Outstanding Talents Program of the Ministry of Education and the National Hundred, Thousand and Ten Thousand Talents Project (Tier 1 and Tier 2). He has been awarded many prestigious honors including National Distinguished Teacher and the An Zijie Award for International Trade Research. Having long devoted himself to research in international economics, economic development of major countries and free trade zones, he has made important contributions to the advancement of international economics in China.

Starting with the core proposition of the rise of major countries, Professor Tong first sorted out the historical commonalities behind the rise and fall of major countries across the globe. He pointed out that all successfully risen major countries have centered their development paths on two core pillars: the unification of domestic markets and the cultivation and expansion of external markets. The rise, maintenance and decline of hegemony have always been deeply linked with the expansion and contraction of market territories. By comparing the rise of Britain and the United States, he analyzed two typical market-driven development models.

Based on the above historical comparison, Professor Tong focused on interpreting the unique logic and achievements of China’s industrial revolution. He stated that China’s industrial revolution did not copy Western models, but originated from the household contract responsibility system reform in Xiaogang Village in 1978. After farmers gained the right to dispose of surplus products, tremendous production enthusiasm was unleashed, driving the market-oriented development of agriculture and further boosting the rapid growth of light industry. In this process, the "performance tournament" among local governments served as a vital driving force. Supported by the construction of national transportation networks and the improvement of the market system, China completed the industrialization journey that took Western countries hundreds of years in less than five decades, creating an economic miracle.

Towards the end of the lecture, Professor Tong discussed the impact of technological progress on the global industrial landscape. He argued that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence are gradually reducing traditional manufacturing’s reliance on labor costs, and future competition between countries will focus more on technological innovation capabilities. Meanwhile, the issue of labor displacement brought by technological advances needs to be addressed via institutional reforms to build a more inclusive employment and social security system.

During the interactive session, teachers and students raised active questions concerning industrial chain relocation, the enabling role of the large domestic market for emerging industries, and the strategic positioning of external markets. Professor Tong gave thorough answers one by one based on his research and real-world conditions, creating a vibrant academic atmosphere.

In his concluding remarks, Professor Wei Hao commented that the lecture featured profound historical insights and practical concerns, offering a new perspective for understanding the rise of major countries from a historical dimension. He encouraged all faculty and students to take this lecture as an opportunity to conduct in-depth research on major theoretical and practical issues concerning China’s economic development, and produce more research outcomes with academic value and policy implications.

The 167th Expert Forum Lecture Series drew to a successful close amid warm applause. This event has not only built a high-standard platform for academic exchanges, but also deepened the understanding of the laws governing the rise of major countries and China’s path of economic development, providing valuable inspiration for academic research and talent cultivation in relevant fields.

Contributed by Academic Department of the Graduate Student Union

Edited by Sun Yue

Reviewed by Hu Conghui