The China, Humanities, and Global Studies (CHAGS) Research Hub, Faculty of Arts, presents:
China’s Search for a New Political Economy: Anti-Involution Policy in the 15th Five-Year Plan
Speaker:
Zhiyuan Cui, School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University
Moderator:
Daniel Vukovich, School of Humanities, The University of Hong Kong
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time: 4:00–6:00 pm Hong Kong Time
Venue: Room 436, 4/F, Run Run Shaw Tower, HKU
All are welcome. Registration is required.
https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?guest=Y&ueid=105856
“Involution”, or neijuan (內卷), describes a state of excessive, counterproductive internal competition and is a named political-economic problem in the 15th Five-Year Plan. Over the length of his distinguished career, Prof. Cui has written extensively and widely on innovative economic models and policies, as well as related social theories, that challenge simplistic market-logics. His recent work, which is presented for CHAGS, addresses anti-involution ideas and practices embodied in the 15th plan. These are central to China’s search for a new political economy in a new era and reflect the pursuit not only of higher-quality, sustainable growth but social welfare and well-being. Thus the problem of involution and the search for alternatives represents, at once, an empirical and interpretive/humanities project.
Zhiyuan Cui (崔之元), professor at the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, is a prominent Chinese scholar in political economy. With a long-standing focus on political and economic theory, deliberative democracy, East Asian development, and global governance, his work is known for its profound theoretical insights and interdisciplinary method. He also actively contributes to policy advisory work, offering unique perspectives on China’s public governance and social development, and is committed to promoting innovation in China’s governance system and advancing global academic exchange.
