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Introduction to the Chinese Association for the History of Foreign Economic Thought

Academic Society

The "Chinese Association for the Study of Foreign Economic Doctrines" (中华外国经济学说研究会) is a first-level national economic society founded in Beijing in September 1979. It was initiated by renowned first-generation Chinese economists, including professors Xu Dixin and Chen Daisun. The Association is a national, academic, non-profit social organization voluntarily formed by units and individuals engaged in the study of foreign economic doctrines.

The purpose of the Association is to adhere to the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It implements the principles of "letting a hundred schools of thought contend" [1] and "making foreign things serve China" [2]. The Association conducts in-depth research into foreign economic doctrines (including both mainstream and heterodox foreign economics, as well as various economic theories and schools in the history of foreign economic thought) and explores the relationship between foreign economic doctrines, Chinese economic theory, and China’s economic development, all in service of the cause of China’s socialist modernization and reform and opening up. Its primary business activities include:

  1. Organizing and promoting the study of foreign economic doctrines, linking them to Chinese reality, absorbing their valuable components, and criticizing their erroneous viewpoints;
  2. Holding academic lectures, conducting academic discussions, exchanging experiences in teaching and scientific research, organizing training courses, and cultivating and identifying talent;
  3. Organizing and promoting the compilation, translation, and publication of textbooks, academic monographs, and reference books related to foreign economic doctrines in accordance with relevant regulations;
  4. Promoting the active development of academic activities by local associations for the study of foreign economic doctrines;
  5. Carrying out international academic exchanges.

For over forty years, the Chinese Association for the Study of Foreign Economic Doctrines has fruitfully carried out a large number of academic exchange and research activities regarding foreign economic doctrines, making major contributions to the cause of China’s socialist modernization and reform and opening up. Since its founding, the Association has actively conducted national academic discussions and research activities, holding specialized academic seminars, forums, or report sessions at irregular intervals each year. It has organized lectures on foreign economic doctrines and published relevant academic works. On many occasions, it has invited foreign economists to hold symposiums to introduce and discuss new trends in foreign economics, playing an active role in strengthening Chinese-foreign academic exchanges and enhancing friendship.