Quite often, my friends asked me why I would give up tenured position in world-leading business school abroad to return to China, and to Peking University. I would attribute it to a strong sense of social responsibility and historical mission. China is over thirty years into the reform and opening up. The tremendous success it has achieved has attracted worldwide attention. Against the backdrop of global economic integration, Chinese economy enters into the new normal, gradually transforming from an extensive growth mode into an intensive one. Deepening the reform in the financial sector and establishing a modern financial system has become one of the most important national development strategic goals. It also serves as a concrete foundation for realizing economic transition, and building an innovative and entrepreneurial economy. It is my wish to witness and to take part in this unprecedented transformation.

In the past several decades, Peking University has been serving China economic reform with its sharp mind and profound wisdom. The establishment of the National Center for Financial Research (NCFR) has gained vigorous support from the leadership of Peking University, as well as the generous contributions from people of insight from various circles of society. Upholding the hundred-year illustrious heritage of Peking University, we will leverage the University’s excellent academic resources in finance and related subjects to integrate theory with practice in China and beyond, and to create a high-end think-tank, a top educational institution and a platform to inform practice in China.

Let’s join hands. With bold practice, continuous innovation and pioneering spirit, we strive to build NCFR into the world's leading academic, policy and practice research institution.