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)