US economist Martin Beckmann has impressed his Chinese
colleagues not only with his professionalism, but also his lifelong
passion for the discipline.
Beckmann's relationship with the country goes back decades. The
82-year-old has made regular visits to China ever since the country
first started opening up to the rest of the world.
His familiarity with the country and its problems has made him a
popular conversation partner among his Chinese counterparts, who
regularly discuss development issues with Beckmann.
During his most recent visit -- at the invitation of Peking
University's China Center of Regional Economics - Beckmann lectured
scholars from prestigious universities and research institutes on
the economic issues involved in rapid urbanization.
While marveling at the fast pace at which China's metropolises
have been growing, Beckmann acknowledged the negative side effects:
Unchecked population flows, traffic and air pollution.?
"Unless the rural population is granted similar economic
advantages elsewhere, it won't stop flowing into Beijing," he
said.
Beckmann called on the Beijing municipal government to levy road
fees to discourage people from crowding the streets.
"It has proven a useful way to control the congested road
situation in Singapore, and I think it will also help ease traffic
jams here," he said.
Beckmann struck a nostalgic note over the many traditional
courtyard homes that have been razed to make way for
skyscrapers.
"The government could take measures to protect the old
buildings. They are part of Chinese history," he said.
Though some local scholars have voiced concern over China's
dependence on labor-intensive manufacturing industries, Beckmann
said he was optimistic about China's future development.
He said Asian giants like Singapore and Japan have risen from
cheap manufacturing centers to bastions of tech innovation.
Labor-intensive production is an inevitable part of
development.
Beckmann noted that although people living in market economies
can become aggressive, the Chinese people have maintained their
kind-heartedness.
For example, Beckmann said he once left a book on a bench in
Beijing. When he returned for the book, he ran into a middle-aged
man who was already bringing the book back to him.
Beckmann also said that he was a fan of many traditional Chinese
arts, including Peking Opera, and handicrafts.
"Beijing Opera is just delightful music, full of inspiration. I
like hearing it. It helps me let go of reality and carries me away
in a pure world of music," he said.
Beckmann was a pioneering researcher in regional studies. He has
had about 250 papers published.
"What we have seen in him is not only a talent for the study of
regional economics, but also an unceasing passion for the
discipline," said Yang Kaizhong, a professor at Peking University
who has been friends with Beckmann for more than 15 years.
(China Daily April 17, 2007)
