Recently, ten Chinese economics textbooks compiled under the organisation of the Ministry of Education have been published as key outcomes of the ‘China Series’ under the National Project for the Development of Original Chinese Textbooks in Philosophy and Social Sciences. Among these,Chinese Open Economy, edited by Professor Huang Xianhai, Dean of our institute, has been published by Higher Education Press.

Synopsis

The textbook Chinese Open Economy (compiled by the Zhejiang University editorial team) is guided by Xi Jinping’s economic thought. Grounded in the profound changes the world has witnessed in a century and China’s historical position in advancing high - level opening - up, it adheres to the ‘two combinations’ and focuses on ‘the fundamental theories, operational laws, development paths and policy choices of China, as a developing socialist major power, in the process of building an open economy’. It remains rooted in China’s national conditions and the great practice of China’s opening - up, striving to effectively summarise the developmental miracle of China’s open economy and the new strategies for high - level opening - up. The textbook adopts a problem - oriented approach combined with historical analysis, unfolding along the logical framework of “distillation of characteristics → theoretical lineage → specific sectors → policy system”. It provides a comprehensive overview of core areas such as foreign trade, investment, finance, digital trade and global governance. Through a systematic analysis of China’s new experiences and challenges in opening up, it profoundly distils the intrinsic laws governing the operation of China’s open economy, striving to construct a theoretical and discursive framework for open - economy studies with Chinese characteristics.

Key Features of This Book

Firstly, it emphasises the construction of an independent Chinese knowledge system, aiming to systematically distil the theory of an open economy for a socialist major power undergoing late - stage transformation. Building upon a summary of the new practices and characteristics of China’s open economy development, this textbook proposes the theory of dynamic competitive advantage, systematically revealing and deeply analysing its mechanisms of effect and policy applications. Building on the latest practical developments, it offers theoretical elaborations on digital trade, the dual circulation of domestic and international markets, transition - oriented opening - up, and the concept of mutually beneficial and win - win opening - up, thereby establishing a theoretical framework for open - economy economics within China’s independent knowledge system.

Secondly, it focuses on distilling distinctive original concepts, aiming to establish a discourse system for open - economy economics with Chinese characteristics. This textbook summarises China’s uniquely distinctive path of incremental open - economy development as the characteristics of a ‘late - developing, transitioning socialist major power’, and provides a thorough theoretical exposition of these characteristics, distilling a series of distinctive concepts such as ‘empowering trade policies’, ‘promoting reform through openness’, and ‘dual openness at the inter - regional and international levels’. Through an in - depth interpretation of the connotations and denotations of these unique concepts, a discourse system specific to China’s open - economy theory has been formed.

Thirdly, it focuses on the integration of “effective markets and an active government”, aiming to thoroughly clarify the theoretical essence of China’s high - level opening - up. This textbook centres on core strategic pathways, including giving equal weight to ‘bringing in’ and ‘going out’, steadily expanding institutional openness, optimising the business environment, and stimulating the synergistic effects of the dual circulation between the domestic and international markets. It not only provides an in - depth analysis of the specific effects of China’s opening - up but also, from the perspective of modernising national governance and building a new development paradigm, clarifies the practical logic by which high - level opening - up promotes deepening domestic reforms.

Fourthly, the textbook emphasises the advanced and cutting - edge nature of its content, aiming to foster research - driven innovation in talent cultivation. During its compilation, particular emphasis was placed on its research - oriented character, unfolding according to the logical sequence of ‘introducing the background → summarising the facts → analysing theoretical dilemmas → proposing directions for further exploration’. This facilitates the implementation of research - driven teaching in the classroom through chapter - based thematic modules, thereby enhancing students’ reflection on and understanding of China’s real - world challenges.