LSE's Asia Forum events were held between 2004-2014 and were an important and very public part of the School's strategy to enhance its long standing relationship with the rapidly developing Asian region. LSE has historically attracted many very talented students and staff from all major Asian countries. The School has a large and distinguished group of alumni in the region and has been active in building partnerships with business and governments for many years.

The LSE Asia Forum bought together LSE's key partners in the region. The Forum provided an opportunity for analysis of different perspectives on the economic, social, political and cultural contributions Asia is making to global development.

The second LSE Asia Forum took place in Hong Kong with the theme 'Managing the Dynamics of Growth'.

Asia is experiencing a sustained economic and political renaissance. The dramatic economic growth curve experienced in particular by India and China but also by other Asian economies is currently attracting much attention. More importantly, these evolving economies are generating considerable public policy and governance challenges.

While Europe and the US underwent a similar development phase in the last century, Asia's growth is occurring within a more integrated global economy and thus has significant implications for the world at large. While economic growth appears to be strong, stable and continuing, it creates new dynamics and challenges in the areas of wealth distribution, legal systems, labour markets, education and trade.

Key challenges currently facing the two major economies of China and India are the need to create robust frameworks for the governance of financial markets and the corporate sector, to develop sufficient public and private welfare and social security provision, to strengthen public policy and management capacity, and to co-shape multilateral trade architecture.

The nature and stability of development in Asia will be a key influence on the nature of globalisation in the next 30-50 years and will indeed be actively determined by the development choices made by leading Asian economies. The 2nd LSE Asia Forum will investigate these challenges and choices and will promote knowledge-exchange between key Asian, European and US leaders and experts. In particular, it will engage Asian government and business leaders and seek their perspectives on managing the dynamics of growth in the region in dialogue with leading international experts.

Programme

Welcome and introduction

• Dr Rosanna Wong, DBE, JP
• Howard Davies, Director, London School of Economics and Political Science
• Charles Lee OBE, Chairman, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited

Introduction

• Mr Stephen Ip, Acting Financial Secretary and Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Hong Kong SAR

Panel discussion one: financial and market stability

This session will examine the underlying architecture for managing regional economies, in particular the systems and frameworks in place for financial regulation, market supervision, fiscal and monetary policy and management. Regional economic integration and policy coordination, and the relationship of the Asia economy to the global economy and financial architecture, will also be key questions. The panel will also focus on issues arising from the disposal of state assets and shareholdings and its effect on financial markets.

• Chair: Howard Davies
• Jean Louis Bravard, Head of EDS Global Financial Services
• Shyamala Gopinath, Deputy Governor Reserve Bank of India
• Danny Quah, Professor of Economics, LSE
• Dr Linda Yueh, Department of Economics, LSE
• Lee Zhang, Chairman, Deutsche Bank China and Co-Head, Global Banking, Asia Pacific

Panel discussion two: trade and governance

Good governance is a key factor for sustainable economic growth, trade and development. This session will explore the evolution of governance in both public and private sector institutions in Asia and its impact on trade relations. Discussion will focus on corporate governance codes, the regulatory framework for the public sector, public management capacity building, and the issue of corruption. The panel will also analyse the evolution of global, regional and bilateral trade architecture as it affects Asia, in particular India and China.

• Chair: Professor Lord Meghnad Desai
• Professor Tim Besley, Director of the Suntory and Toyota International Centres for Economics and Related Disciplines (STICERD), LSE
• Patrick Dunleavy, Professor of Government, and Chair of the Public Policy Group, LSE
• Professor Fu Jun, Professor of Political Economy, School of Government, Peking University
• John Perham, Head of EDS Global Industries, Asia Pacific
• Alan Rosling, Executive Director, Tata and Sons Ltd

Keynote speech: Managing the Dynamics of Growth

• Speaker: David Eldon GBS CBE JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Basin Economic Council, Senior Adviser PricewaterhouseCooper, former Chairman, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, and Director of HSBC Holdings plc

Previous Asia Forums

Find out about other Asia Forums and access podcasts, slides and photos at the links below.

Malaysia 2014 Building Asian futures: integration, welfare and growth?
Beijing 2010, China and the World
Singapore 2008 The Politics of Knowledge
Delhi 2006 Challenging Globalisation
Thailand 2004 The Future of the World Economy