Deng's Interpreter Discusses Chinese Economy

Victor Zhikai Gao, a former interpreter for Deng Xiaoping and currently an influential figure in China’s economy, will speak on campus Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Dana Auditorium. He is the first prominent politically- and economically-involved figure from China to speak at the College about China’s economy.

China has been the world’s fastest-growing major economy since its economic reform led by Deng, the late Paramount Leader of China and a leading architect of the socialist market economy theory. As Deng’s interpreter for China-U.S. relations, Gao has played a direct role in the international aspects of economic change in China.

“[Gao] is unique in that he has all these different experiences in the government and the economy of China,” said Assistant Professor of Political Science Jessica Teets.

Currently, Gao is Executive Director of the Beijing Private Equity Association (BPEA) and is the chairman of its International Committee. In addition, he has been a large part of numerous enterprises including Morgan Stanley’s joint venture with the company, China International Capital Corporation, as well as CNOOC Limited, which has led China’s economic expansion into Africa.

This Sunday, Gao will be discussing China’s process of economic transformation China over the past few decades; he will also speak about China’s modern economy and its role in the global economy.

“He can give insight into the whole process of economic reform … from the political and economic side, as well as [insight into] what is happening in China’s economy today,” said Teets.

The lecture was a joint effort, organized by the Rohatyn Center for International Affairs, the Chinese department, the Alice and John Berninghausen Fund for Chinese Studies, the East Asian Studies program, the Political Science department, the International Politics and Economics program, Atwater Commons and the Chinese Society. Crucially, Peter Le ’12, who personally met Gao at the Asian Business Conference at Harvard this past year, initiated the organizing of this event.

After the lecture on Sunday, Gao will informally meet with students the following day, Oct. 4, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Ross Fireplace Lounge to talk further about China’s economy, Gao’s own business and investing experience and to answer students’ questions.