Wu Jinglian (吳敬璉)

Organization: Development Research Center of the State Council (國務院發展研究中心)

Position: Senior researcher

Age: 83

Wu Jinglian is one of the most preeminent economists in China, primarily specializing in economic policy. From 1984 to1992, Wu has been awarded the Sun Yefang Economic Science Prize, China's top honor in economics for five times. In 2004, he was the winner of the International Management Academy (IAM) Award for outstanding contribution to the Science and Art of Management. And Wu was also the winner of the Inaugural China Economics Outstanding Contribution Award in 2005. Graduated from Fudan University in 1954, Wu is a witness of the country's evolution of economic policies and is an active participant and contributor in it as an economist. At an age of above 80, Wu still travelled frequently to China's rural areas as part of his efforts to guarantee micro loans to poverty-striken farmers.