【Luojia Lecture】Professor Yang Kaizhong Lectures on the Methodological Framework of New Spatial Economics

On November 1, Academician of the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences and Member of the Academic Division of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Professor Yang Kaizhong delivered an academic lecture titled “The Methodological Framework of New Spatial Economics” as a guest speaker of the 512th Luojia Lecture at Wuhan University. Professor Nie Jun, Dean of the School of Economics and Management of Wuhan University, presented him with the Luojia Lecture commemorative plaque, and Xing Tao, Deputy Director of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences and Director of the Division of Academic Services of Wuhan University, chaired the event.

Starting from the question of how to incorporate spatial factors into a general equilibrium framework, Professor Yang explained that new spatial economics represents both a theoretical refinement and an expansion of new economic geography in response to contemporary developments. He pointed out that new spatial economics has achieved paradigm breakthroughs, including the shift from “homogeneous space” to “heterogeneous space,” from “production networks” to “production–living symbiotic networks,” and a human-centered revolution in spatial economic theory. Methodologically, new spatial economics establishes interdisciplinary “conceptual interfaces” and “analytical frameworks,” offering insights for advancing collaborative governance toward an “effective market, proactive government, organic society, and harmonious nature.”

During the Q&A session, faculty members and students engaged actively with questions from their own research perspectives. Professor Yang provided in-depth explanations, creating a warm and intellectually stimulating atmosphere. The lecture was jointly organized by the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences of Wuhan University and the School of Economics and Management of Wuhan University.

According to available information, Professor Yang Kaizhong is a major founder of China’s regional science and the initiator of new spatial economics. He is a recipient of the State Council Special Allowance, Academician of the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences, and Member of the Academic Division of CASS. He previously served as Party Secretary of the CASS Research Institute for Eco Civilization. He currently holds positions including Dean of the School of Applied Economics at the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Director of the CASS Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization; and Professor and PhD Supervisor at the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University, Nankai University, and Southeast University. He also serves as President of the Regional Science Association of China, President of the China Society of Urban Economy, and Vice President of the China Association of Regional Economics, among other roles.

(Contributors: Fan Fei, Zhai Xiaoqing; Reviewed by: Huang Minxue)