Chinese economy

Closed-door event

China’s structural deceleration: population aging versus innovation

15

May 2023

Brussels

Gianandrea Gaetani dell'Aquila d'Aragona

Jean-Pierre Cabestan

Jens Eskelund

Alicia Garcia Herrero

Max J. Zenglein

Jeromin Zettelmeyer

China’s structural deceleration: population aging versus innovation
Closed-door event discussed the importance of rapid aging for the future of the Chinese economy and dwelling on China’s major innovation trends, Brussels, May 2023

The Chinese economy is expected to grow about half of what it was growing some twelve years ago and such deceleration is bound to continue. Among the many reasons for the structural deceleration of the Chinese economy, rapid – actually accelerated – aging stands out. Instead, innovation is considered to be the most important lever to mitigate the deceleration.

In this round table, we discussed the relative importance of rapid aging for the future of the Chinese economy while also dwelled on China’s major innovation trends and how much additional growth they may bring to the economy by increasing productivity.

This event was organised by Bruegel in cooperation with Asia Centre and the Mercator Institute for China Studies.

Agenda

  • 15:00 Check-in and coffee
  • 15:30 Opening remarks
    - Jens Eskelund, Managing Director, Maersk China Ltd and Member, DWARC External Experts Advisory Board
    Jeromin Zettelmeyer, Director
  • 15:40 Presentation on China’s growth, aging and innovation
    - Alicia García-Herrero, Senior fellow
  • 15:55 Guided discussion
    - Jean Pierre Cabestan, Research Fellow, Asia Centre, Paris
    - Gianandrea Gaetani dell'Aquila d'Aragona, Policy Officer – Science, Technology, and Innovation cooperation with China
    - Max Zenglein, Chief economist, MERICS
  • 17:30 End of meeting

 

About the speakers

Gianandrea Gaetani dell'Aquila d'Aragona

Policy Officer – Science, Technology, and Innovation cooperation with China

Jean-Pierre Cabestan

Senior Researcher at Asia Centre, Emeritus Senior Researcher at French National Centre for Scientific Research, Emeritus Professor at Hong Kong Baptist University

Political Scientist and jurist specialised in contemporary China and contemporary Taiwan

Jens Eskelund

Managing Director, Maersk China Ltd and Member, DWARC External Experts Advisory Board

Alicia Garcia Herrero

Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis, Senior Fellow at Bruegel, Non-resident Senior Follow at the East Asian Institute, Adjunct Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Economist specialized in monetary and financial issues in emerging markets, banking crises and resolution strategies, financial development

Max J. Zenglein

Chief Economist at Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS)

China’s macroeconomic development; international trade and investment; economic reforms

Jeromin Zettelmeyer

Director of Bruegel