A decade of development and contribution of AAEA China Section

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the China Section last year, an article was published in China Agricultural Economics Review to report the section’s history, growth, contribution and outlook (Wang, 2021).  We would like to share its main points with AAEA members here.

China Section was founded in 2009 as the first AAEA section focusing on issues related to a particular country. There were 86 founding members, mostly from US universities and USDA. China’s amazing economic development the 1990s and early 2000s caught scholars’ attention worldwide then on its agricultural development, its food and fiber markets, and its trade policy. These issues were especially important to the US, and a cohort of AAEA scholars had been mobilized to study for years, whom formed the core of this section then.

The section is intended to facilitate collaboration, mentor junior AAEA members, and bridge between AAEA and other professional organizations worldwide on agricultural and economics issues related to China. Over the first ten years, its paid membership increased to 134. The growth was mainly driven by new members from outside the U.S., especially China where the membership quintupled.  A separately maintained Chinese social media group has over 700 subscribers, many are past section members.  Graduate student membership also grew from about 15% to almost 50%, showing the attractiveness to junior professionals.  China section’s AAEA organized paper session quota grew from two to three based on its membership. Still, over 150 submitted abstracts competed for the limited slots in recent years.

Scholars from the China Section have actively engaged in research on important and timely issues with impactful outcomes. Recent years have observed trade conflicts between U.S. and China, especially in the agricultural sector. In response, section members published multiple themed symposia in Choices, provided expert testimonies to the U.S. Congress, and organized a well-attended post-conference at 2019 AAEA Annual Meetings.  Chinese agricultural economic development also provides experience to the world, such as its advanced grocery online market and restaurant delivery system. Two journal special issues focusing on China topics were organized by recent section leaders, Agribusiness (2020) and China Agricultural Economics Review (2021). The Section has made continuous contribution to the AAEA, the profession, and the public.

China section has diverse members in gender, race, country of origin, seniority, and sub-discipline in applied economics. It has experienced a steady growth since its inception owning to the support from AAEA presidents, executives board, sister sections, senior mentors, and peer members as well as our external sponsors and supporters. The current leaders and members are inspired to continue the legacy and bring the Section to the next level.

Reference

Wang, H. H. 2021 Editorial: China Section in Agricultural and Applied Economic Association: History, Growth, Contribution and Outlook. 13 (2), 249-259. DOI:10.1108/CAER-05-2021-263

China Agricultural Economic Review Complimentary Issue

Complimentary access to the special issue " Attitudes towards and Impact of GM Technology: Policy and Implications for China"

China Agricultural Economic Review is pleased to announce the publication of a significant special issue on genetically modified (GM) technology, its policy and implications for China. The selected manuscripts were carefully reviewed by a group of experts from China, Canada and other countries. It is led by distinguished field expert, Dr. Jikun Huang, the Founder and Director of the Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy (CCAP) and a Professor of Agricultural Economics in the School of Advanced Agriculture, Peking University in China.

This special issue provides new evidence on the attitudes toward GM technology by different stakeholders (e.g., consumers, agribusiness firms, and scientists) and the values of GM technology with implications for China. The special issue scientifically oversees the GM technology development, industrialization and impact on agricultural sector. The role of policy and regulations in managing the development and use of agricultural biotechnologies has also been examined. 

The papers and guest editorial can be accessed for free until 11 October 2017 by visiting: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/toc/caer/9/3 

Call for Papers: 4th CAER-IFPRI Annual International Conference

Papers are now being accepted for the 4th CAER-IFPRI Annual International Conference to be held in Beijing, China on October 18-19, 2012. The theme of the conference will be "Agricultural and Rural Development in China: Opportunities and Challenges", aiming to explore the related issues and countermeasures of agricultural and rural development in both China and the rest of the world. The deadline for submissions is July 31, 2012.

Call for Papers: International Agricultural Risk, Finance, and Insurance Conference

Paper submissions are now being accepted for the International Agricultural Risk, Finance, and Insurance Conference (IARFIC) to be held at the Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China, on June 20-21, 2012. The theme of the conference is "Agricultural Risk, Finance, Insurance and Actuarial Science." The deadline for a paper or extended abstract submission (in English) is March 1, 2012.

Call for Submissions: IFAMA World Symposium, "The Road to 2050: The China Factor"

The International Food and Agribusiness Management Association is accepting submissions for its 22nd Annual World Forum and Symposium, "The Road to 2050: The China Factor." The Symposium will be followed immediately by the IFAMA Forum, with both taking place June 11-14, 2012 in Shanghai, China. The deadline for submission is November 14, 2011