On August 27, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL) and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Hubei Provincial People’s Government (SASAC of Hubei Province) signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement to jointly establish “the Research Center for the Reform and Development of State-owned Assets and Enterprises in Hubei”(referred to as ‘Research Center’), followed by an unveiling ceremony. Zhu Fangwei, President and Deputy Party Secretary of ZUEL, and Chen Zhong, Party Secretary and Director of SASAC of Hubei Province, attended and delivered remarks. Chen Baifeng, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC ZUEL Committee and Vice President of ZUEL, and Ping Bendong, Party Committee Member and Deputy Director of SASAC of Hubei Province, were also present. The ceremony was hosted by Li Xiaoping, Assistant to the President and Director of the Research Department of ZUEL.
Zhu Fangwei pointed out that establishing the Development Research Center holds significant importance for promoting the high-quality development of state-owned enterprises and building an academic, theoretical, and discourse system for state-owned enterprise development with Chinese characteristics, style, and manner. He stressed that the Development Research Center should strengthen fundamental theoretical research on the reform and development of China’s state-owned assets and enterprises, providing theoretical foundations for Chinese SOEs’ going abroad. It should adopt a problem-oriented approach to thoroughly examine emerging challenges in SOE reform and development, offering feasible solutions. Furthermore, the Center must prioritize cutting-edge areas of SOE reform and development, securing leading positions in related research. Its mission is to build a first-rate domestic research think tank for deepening SOE reform, a platform for transforming research outcomes, and a base for cultivating talents.
Chen Zhong pointed out that the Hubei Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government attach great importance to the reform and development of state-owned capital and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). In the face of the new situations, new missions and new tasks, the state-owned capital and SOEs of Hubei province shoulder the historical responsibility of becoming stronger, better and bigger as well as playing a full role as strategic pillars and leading forces of this new era, and thus urgently need strong intellectual and decision-making guidance. The establishment of the Center takes crucial measure for both parties to keep up with the pulse of the times, cope with challenges and gain the initiative in development. For that, Chen Zhong put forward three expectations for the Center: first, it should stay at the forefront and strive to scale new heights in theoretical research; second, it should serve the broader interests and function as a central think tank; third, it should embrace openness and innovation to enhance its brand influence. The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of Hubei Province will support the construction and development of the Center. It expects the Center to serve scientific decision-making with high-quality research outcomes and empower the reform and development of state-owned capital and SOEs with high-level intellectual support.
During the signing and unveiling ceremony, Chen Baifeng and Ping Bendong represented both parties in signing the “Cooperation Framework Agreement for the Joint Establishment of the Hubei State-owned Assets Reform and Development Research Center”. Zhu Fangwei and Chen Zhong jointly unveiled the plaque for the Hubei State-owned Assets Reform and Development Research Center. Chen Hao, Director of the SASAC of Hubei Provincial People’s Government Office, Cao Deguo, Director of the Reform and Development Promotion Center, as well as Liu Jianming, Director of the Office of the CPC and Office of the President of ZUEL, Wu Haitao, Dean of the School of Business Administration, Yu Xiaopeng, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Business Administration, Shi Junwei and Dong Ciwei, Vice Deans of the School of Business Administration, and Wen Hao, Vice Dean of CCB Campus and Director of the Hubei State-owned Assets Reform and Development Research Center attended the ceremony.
In closing, Li Xiaoping emphasized that the establishment of the Center responds to the national strategy of deepening SOE reform and the provincial mission to build a pivotal growth pole in Central China. He encouraged the team at the Center to integrate resources, strengthen field research, and deliver practical outcomes, generating high-quality research that serves both the local and the national development.
（END）
Reporter: Wang Juanjuan