David Daokui Li Keynote Speaker

One of China’s most influential economists
Mansfield Freeman Professor of Economics of Tsinghua University
Former Member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the People’s Bank of China

David Daokui Li's Biography

Professor David Daokui Li is a prominent Chinese economist and a top advisor to Chinese senior leaders, having served on the Monetary Policy Committee of China’s central bank.

Currently, he serves as the Mansfield Freeman Chair Professor of the Department of Finance of the School of Economics and Management of Tsinghua University. He is also the Director of Center for China in the World Economy (CCWE) at the School of Economics and Management of Tsinghua University.

As a leading Chinese economist, Professor Li is active in policy advising and discussions. He is a former member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC) and the Sino-German Economic Advisory Council. He previously served on China’s Monetary Policy Committee and was an external advisor to the International Monetary Fund.

David makes frequent appearances on television outlets such as CNBC and Bloomberg, and his writings and quotes can be found in prominent publications such as the New York Times, Financial Times, and the Wall Street Journal. In 2006, he was named by Wall Street Wire as one of the ten most influential economists in China.

Professor Li holds a B.S. and Ph.D. in economics from Tsinghua University and Harvard University, respectively.

Comparative economics

Trade

Chinese economics and policy

Taxation

He has advised China’s senior leadership and served on the Monetary Policy Committee of the People’s Bank of China, placing him at the heart of Chinese macroeconomic policymaking.
He translates Beijing’s economic strategy, financial reform agenda and growth priorities into clear insight for global investors, boards and policymakers.
He combines academic leadership at Tsinghua University with frontline policy experience, offering a rare bridge between Chinese domestic debates and international market expectations.
He is a frequent commentator on CNBC and Bloomberg whose analysis helps audiences interpret China’s monetary policy, structural reforms and global economic positioning.
His briefings equip organisations to assess policy direction, understand regulatory signals and navigate the economic implications of China’s evolving development model.