People

Professor Y.C. Richard WONG, SBS, JP received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1981.  He was Visiting Scholar at the National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago in 1985 and at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University in 1989.  He joined the School in September 1992, served as Director (1997-2000) of the School of Business, Dean (2001-04) and Acting Dean (2004-07) of the Faculty of Business and Economics (now HKU Business School), and Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (2004-2010, 2019-).

Professor Wong is founding Director of the Hong Kong Centre for Economic Research (1987-) and the Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy (1999-); a recipient of the Sir Antony Fisher International Memorial Award for his work in advancing economic research on policy issues in Hong Kong; and principal investigator of the Area of Excellence Grant in economic policy and business strategy awarded by the University Grants Committee in 1999; Chairman of the Council of the Becker-Friedman Institute, University of Chicago (2015-19).

He had served on a number of public bodies, including, the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee, Housing Authority, Industry and Technology Development Council, and University Grants Committee; and on the Central Policy Unit, Chief Executive’s Commission on Innovation and Technology, Commission on Strategic Development-Committee on Economic Development and Economic Cooperation with the Mainland, Council of Advisors on Innovation and Technology, Dental Council, Economic Advisory Committee, Hospital Authority, Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (Hong Kong Committee), Land and Building Advisory Committee, Financial Secretary’s Services Promotion Strategy Group, Research Themes under the Research Endowment Fund Steering Committee, and Commission on Poverty Task Force on Social Security and Retirement Security.

Professor Wong was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 1999 by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in recognition of his contributions to education, housing, and industry and technology development.  He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2000.

He has been Chairman of the Judging Panel of the DHL/SCMP Hong Kong Business Awards since 2006.

His current research focuses are public housing in Hong Kong, inequality and intergenerational mobility in Hong Kong, early childhood intervention, the political economy of laissez faire in Hong Kong, and regional economic development in China.

His research on public housing studies the welfare effects of the government public housing strategy and recommends government to correct capital market imperfections in the mortgage loans market to help the public to purchase publicly provided for sale units. It also recommends the sale of existing public rental units to the sitting tenant and new financial arrangements for the unpaid premium on existing publicly provided for sale flats. The policy changes aims to improve efficiency and equity, restore the broken housing ladder, and promote social harmony and stability.

He is studying the political economy for the economic success in Hong Kong during the post-war period focusing on the policy of positive non-interventionism.  It includes a detailed analysis of all major facets of the Hong Kong economy and society.  Structural transformations of Hong Kong’s economy and the new division of labour have given rise to numerous highly vocal special interest groups.  The research is devoted to the articulation of the challenges and opportunities presented by the opening of China, the integration of Hong Kong with China under one-country two-system, the rising competition from regional neighbours amidst rapid structural transformation of the Hong Kong economy, and the globalization of world markets, with special emphasis on social mobility and intergenerational inequality.

Professor Wong has led pioneering efforts in studying regional economic development in the Pearl River Delta and Yangzi River Delta regions following China’s economic transformation.  His research focused on the critical role of Hong Kong in regional and national economic development from the perspective of institutional change and innovation.

He previously wrote a column for the Hong Kong Economic Journal and South China Morning Post.  He maintains a blog at http://www.wangyujian.com/.