Australia in the World Public Lecture - The Future of the Chinese Economy

China has been Australia’s biggest trading partner since late 2007. The economy is experiencing a significant transformation with economic growth slowing down to a predicted 6.2% by 2017 from double digit levels. However, the urban middle class is expected to reach 1 billion, accounting for 70% of its population by 2030 driving massive consumer demand. As the Chinese economy becomes more innovation and consumption driven, what complements could Australia and China offer each other? What do these trends mean and what prospects are there for Australia? At this public lecture, Professor Wang Depei, Chief Economist from Forecast Thinktank in Shanghai talked about the complexity of the Chinese economy and the significance for both Australia and China. Professor Ross Garnaut AO provided an Australian perspective on the future of the Chinese economy and share his insights on how to capture the economic potential of this important relationship. Professor Wang Depei is the Vice President of the China Society of Economic Reform, Visiting Professor at Peking University, Zhejiang University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University. Professor Ross Garnaut AO is Professorial Research Fellow in Economics at the University of Melbourne.