Although published a dozen years ago, a book on economic catch-up was recently awarded one of the Top 87 Books on Human Science in China.

Titled “Catching-up economic growth theory: a new thought on organizing economic growth,” the book is written by Mr. Zhong Yangsheng, a respected thinker and part-time economic professor from South China's Guangdong Province.

Analysts noted that the framework of the theory, as well as its fundamental concepts and perspectives, has been “incredibly” proved correct by the country's economic practices during the past 12 years and will remain to offer an unparalleled guidance on how to organize economic growth effectively in China, a developing country whose rapid and continuous rise has caught wide attentions in the world during the past two decades.

Many of Mr. Zhong's distinguished predictions include: the period between 1970s and 2020s is the major historic opportunity for the developing countries and regions to realize the economic catch-up; the “people's need” is the prominent principle for economic growth with individuals' comprehensive development as the final objective of economic growth; etc.

In particular, Mr. Zhong's theory on catching-up economic growth distinguishes itself from others with three characteristics.

Firstly, rather than following the academic tradition of studying the economic growth in the developed countries, it pioneers in focusing on the economic challenges faced by the developing countries and regions.

Secondly, it puts emphasis on the development of the human beings as the core factor in economic growth, instead of the one-sided approach which unduly stresses the increases of wealth.

And thirdly, it takes a lead in using the theory of historic materialism into the research of economic growth.

With an impressive sale volume of over 50,000 copies, the book has been widely reported by national media as being inspiring to the local policy makers and to be an important reference to the people who likes to study the rapid growth of Guangdong and China.

Currently as the Executive Vice Governor of Guangdong, the author admitted in his preface that the book has merged his own three-decades' working and learning experience, from the leader of a small town to the vice governor of the most prosperous province of China, from a college student on politics to a philosophy postgraduate and even to a PhD in economics.

Analysts also gave high credit to Mr. Zhong's own practices in applying his theory in developing Guangdong during the past five years, especially in the field of the industrial upgrade which has made remarkable achievements and becomes one of the main driving forces in Guangdong's economic growth.

The first edition of the book was published in 1995, and immediately was on the chart of “China's top ten economic books” of the year for its theoretical innovations.

The Top 87 Books on Human Science in China is a new honor given by the State's Press and Publishing Council from this year. Candidates include more than 1,500 books recommended by all the provinces and regions in the country.

Editor: Yan