June 2, 2009. -- Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Mr. Hua Jianmin, who played a key role in the approval process that led to CEIBS' establishment 15 years ago, today paid an official visit to the school's Shanghai Campus. Along with his wife, the Vice Chairman was accompanied by a delegation of VIPs including Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Shanghai People's Congress Madame Yang Dinghua; Deputy Secretary General of the Standing Committee of Shanghai People's Congress Mr. Zhu Yanwen; and Assistant to Hua Jianmin Mr. Wu Gang.

The guests were greeted by a CEIBS delegation headed by President Zhu Xiaoming, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People's Consultative Conference. After a campus tour, the group sat down for discussions in the Spanish Centre. Among those also representing CEIBS were:
- Dean and Vice President Rolf D. Cremer
- Vice President and Co-Dean Zhang Weijiong
- Associate Dean Lydia Price
- Assistant President Ge Jun
- Assistant President Snow Zhou
- and directors from various academic and administrative departments.

In his welcome remarks on behalf of the entire CEIBS community, CEIBS President Zhu spoke of Vice Chairman Hua's strong academic background, the significant role he played in CEIBS' establishment and his great contribution to the economic development of Shanghai, especially the Pudong area.

CEIBS Vice President Zhang then gave a comprehensive briefing on the school's operations, covering the establishing of its predecessor CEMI in Beijing in 1984, the establishing of the Shanghai campus in 1994 and the school's accomplishments over the past 15 years. CEIBS, he said, has worked hard to ensure that the expectations of the central and local governments have been achieved.

During his address on CEIBS' International Cooperation, Dean Cremer explained that the school epitomized a very successful cooperation between China and the EU. He also spoke of CEIBS' changing relationship with other top calibre b-schools around the world. Dean Cremer explained that the trend has moved away from a transfer of knowledge from outside China to a relationship in which CEIBS is on par with the world's best b-schools, and an institution from which its peers are eager to learn.

CEIBS President Zhu then spoke on the topic "Latest Developments and Strategic Vision of CEIBS". Stressing the strong and consistent support that the municipal government has given to CEIBS over the years, President Zhu provided details on:
- the EU-BMT Project,
- the planned expansion of the Shanghai Campus,
- the establishment of the CEIBS Lujiazui International Finance Research Centre and the role it plays as a think tank as the government steadily moves towards transforming Shanghai  into a global financial hub,
- the strong emphasis which CEIBS, its students and alumni place on corporate social responsibility and business ethics.
President Zhu added that while CEIBS is facing increasing competition from other b-schools, every effort would be made to continue meeting the long-term goal of providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge, being a cradle of excellent business leaders and establishing a sustainable brand.

In his keynote speech, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Mr. Hua Jianmin -- who still has close interaction with Shanghai despite having left the city 13 years ago -- provided details about the role he played in CEIBS' establishment. Fresh into his role as Director of Shanghai's Planning Commission, the plans for two projects came across his desk. One was CEIBS; the other was the Shanghai Children's Hospital, which today has a solid reputation for treating congenital heart disease.  During today's Shanghai trip, CEIBS and the hospital were the only two official visits on the Vice Chairman's schedule.

In his address to CEIBS officials, Vice Chairman Hua spoke of the challenges -- in his then role as Director of Shanghai's Planning Commission -- in moving ahead with the two projects (CEIBS and the hospital) at a time when the city of Shanghai had limited financial resources. "To ask the municipal government to invest US$20 million in the (CEIBS) project was a very hard decision," he said. At the time, other competing needs included the development of Pudong, as well as much needed investment in technology and infrastructure. He said the decision to go ahead with CEIBS was a signal of the Shanghai municipal government's commitment to education and management as part of the wider process of opening up and reform. During a 1993 trip to Brussels, the then Mayor of Shanghai Mr. Huang Ju and Vice Chairman Hua were authorized to negotiate with the EU for CEIBS' establishment. The Shanghai government and the EU would split the costs of establishing and running the project.

Today, Vice Chairman Hua congratulated CEIBS on its "excellent reputation" in the academic field and the business community; the contribution it has made to the country's development by training thousands of business leaders; its success in building a strong brand; and its reputation as a think tank. He expressed the hope that CEIBS will place even more emphasis on using its numerous research centres to find solutions to problems that have a direct impact on China. He cited the current global financial crisis, for example, and stressed the importance of formulating and implementing the correct approach to the problem. "The Chinese government, business schools, and other institutions of higher learning, should find tailor-made solutions for China-specific problems," he said. He also urged CEIBS officials present to provide students with a well-rounded knowledge platform, continue its emphasis on CSR, and work hard at remaining successful.

Vice Chairman Hua's official visit event ended with a group photo after President Zhu presented him with gifts of appreciation.