The Boyuan Foundation is a Chinese think tank created in 2007 with the ambition to promote political and economic liberal reforms in China. In 2012, a prominent Beijing-based western journalist wrote that the "Boyuan Foundation exists almost entirely under the radar but may well be the most ambitious, radical and consequential independent panel of advisers in China."[1] In 2014, at a time when it was already paring down its operations, it was described by The Economist as "closely connected to the families of some top leaders and to elite players in the financial system".[2] It has had little if any observable activity in subsequent years.
Overview
editThe Boyuan Foundation was established in 2007 by He Di, former chairman of UBS China, and Qin Xiao, former chairman of China Merchants Group and China Merchants Bank. UBS provided five million US dollars to the foundation, gaining a seat on its board, while He Di contributed one million dollars of his own money. The foundation established its seat in a renovated courtyard house in central Beijing.[1]
Individuals who have worked for the foundation as researchers and/or published authors have included Ding Xueliang, Lou Jiwei,[3] and Xu Jilin.[4] By 2013, its board members included Wang Jianxi,[5] Gao Xiqing, and Brent Scowcroft.[3]
These and other high-level connections have been reported as providing the foundation some political cover despite vitriolic attacks from the Chinese New Left,[4] and more general political misalignment between the Boyuan Foundation and the Chinese Communist Party.[3]
In addition to more discreet meetings, the Boyuan Foundation was a co-organizer of several high-profile public events. In 2012, it co-organized a "China-Europe Beijing Forum" in partnership with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.[6] In 2013, it held a flagship event in Beijing, the Chinese Economic Forum, with sponsorship from China Everbright Limited.[7] In the following three years (2014-2016), successive iterations of the Chinese Economic Forum were held in New York in apparent partnership with Peking University.[8][9][10]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ a b John Garnaut (12 November 2012). "Elites fight secret battle for China's soul". Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ "The brains of the party". The Economist. 10 May 2014.
- ^ a b c Shai Oster (30 August 2013). "China's Rich Want Their Say on Policy Reform". Bloomberg.
- ^ a b David Kelly (21 March 2011). "Chinese political transition: split in the Princeling camp?". East Asia Forum.
- ^ "China's Financial Markets and Economy". UCI School of Social Sciences. 24 February 2018.
- ^ The Club of Three and China: The China-Europe Beijing Forum (PDF), 24–25 May 2012
- ^ Everbright Exclusively Sponsors Boyuan Foundation's Economic Forum in Beijing (PDF), 30 June 2013
- ^ "2014 China Economic Forum and U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue Held in New York". Peking University BiMBA Business School. 24 February 2014.
- ^ "2015 Chinese Economy Forum Held at New York Stock Exchange". Peking University National School of Development. 12 January 2015.
- ^ "2016 Chinese Economic Forum Held in New York". Peking University National School of Development. 8 January 2016.