The students are now well into the second week of “Doing Business in China,” and the experience—academically and personally—continues to be one the students will remember for the rest of their lives.
The lectures this week have transitioned to focus on issues concerning economic development, including discussions on the proper role of government in the economy (and society at large) as well as the (in)ability of foreign aid to have positive economic or social outcomes. The students were also treated to a number of very lively lectures by BJTU’s faculty—one of which examined domestic investment policies concerning foreign businesses investment, another examining the nature of economic reform in China over the second half of the twentieth century, and yet another concerning office politics! Despite the (albeit minor) language barrier, the students have been extremely receptive to the lectures generously provided by the BJTU faculty, and consequently have gained a view of China’s economy, business environment and society that simply wouldn’t be available back home in Pittsburgh.
The group also decided that a little home cooking was in order after a week and a half of sampling Beijing’s culinary curiosities—so off we went as a group the Hard Rock Café! Hamburgers, French fries and cold beer were never such a welcome sight.
Tomorrow we continue our exploration into economic development and the role that institutions and economic freedom have played both around the world and within China. After a quick break for lunch, we will visit two factories here in Beijing—the first being IKEA’s Beijing operation, followed by Alcoa’s. We will return to the hotel around dinner time then anticipate an early evening to catch our morning flight to Shanghai on Friday.
Best,
Professor Ryan
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