News Network (Reporter: Zhuo Zhangpeng Correspondent: Chang Yali) On the morning of June 25th, the opening ceremony for the 16th World Congress of Accounting Historians (WCAH 2024) was held at the Wenquan Building, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL). Themed “accounting, science and technology and human civilization”, WCAH 2024 brought together more than 300 experts, scholars, and academic elites in the field of accounting history from different countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Russia, South Korea, Singapore, and Japan, as well as representatives from government agencies, well-known enterprises, and academic journals. Throughout the global accounting history, it is the first time that the highest-level international academic conference, WCAH 2024, takes place in China.
Yang Canming, President and Deputy Secretary of the CPC ZUEL Committee, pointed out in his welcome speech that, ZUEL has been an active player in the research of accounting history with major academic contributions. For instance, the three-million-word handwritten masterpiece, A General History of Chinese Accounting, was independently completed by Guo Daoyang, senior professor of ZUEL and internationally acclaimed historian of accounting. His work not only fills the gap in the research but also solidifies China’s leading position in the field of global accounting history. It is sincerely hoped that ZUEL would seize this grand event as an opportunity to showcase the irreplaceable importance of Chinese accounting culture, and more importantly, send out a strong signal to the world of enhancing China's cultural confidence and building powerful cultural country.
Professor Gary John Previts, the founding chairman of the World Congress of Accounting Historians and world-renowned historian of accounting, pointed out in his video speech that, WCAH 2024 would fully demonstrate historical precipitation in the field of Chinese accounting and academic research of accounting in China, and promote the dissemination of Chinese accounting research in the world. It was hoped that WCAH 2024 can establish new friendships in academic settings and promote development in the field of study. It is believed that the importance of WCAH 2024 will be remembered and recognized for its significant contribution to the global accounting history.
Professor Massimo Sargiacomo, former president of the World Congress of Accounting Historians, special advisor for this conference and the president of Society of Italian Accounting Historians, stated that this event will be regarded as a milestone for both ZUEL and the indigenous accounting history research of China. In addition, the conference will not only promote communication and collaboration among global accounting historians but also inject new momentum into the further development of accounting history study in China.
Liu Guangzhong, a senior inspector from the Accounting Department of Ministry of Finance and Secretary General of the Accounting Society of China, noted that WCAH 2024 would not only showcase China’s solid strides towards international excellence in the study of accounting, but also represents a pivotal moment for China to solidify its leading role in global accounting history research, boost confidence in China's accounting culture, and establish a distinctively Chinese accounting discourse system.
Liu Aiguo, Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Vice Chairman of the Hubei Provincial Federation of Social Science Circles, stated that this congress would serve as an important bridge for facilitating academic exchanges between China and the world in the field of accounting. It took an academic mission to address the questions posed by China, the world, the people, and the times.And it has an intellectual pursuit of highlighting Chinese path, Chinese governance, and Chinese philosophy. The congress aims to continuously promote the innovative development of Chinese philosophy and social sciences, contributing to accelerating the construction of a knowledge system with Chinese characteristics in these areas.
Sun Baohou, President of the China Audit Society and former Deputy Auditor General of the National Audit Office, remarked that WCAH 2024 is a grand event for facilitating international academic exchanges and promoting the development and innovation of accounting history research. China has made significant achievements in studies on accounting history. We should continue to follow in the footsteps of academic pioneers as Professor Guo Daoyang, expanding and deepening the historical research within the fields of accounting, international accounting, and related disciplines, as well as exploring the historical, contemporary, and prospective aspects of these professional domains.
Wang Hongling, Vice Chairman of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the CPPCC, Standing Committee member of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, and Chairman of the Hubei Provincial Committee, pointed out that WCAH 2024 carries forward the cultural legacy and the global accounting tradition. Meanwhile, it summarizes the historical experience and the intelligence of predecessors. She hoped that scholars from various countries could learn from each other through communication and gather up strength through collaboration. Scholars use accounting as their brush and time as their axis to jointly create a magnificent picture that connects the past and the future, contributing to the prosperity and development of global accounting culture.
Presiding over the opening ceremony, Zou Jinwen, Vice President of ZUEL pointed out that, accounting history focuses on development and evolution of the study of accounting, serving as a solid foundation for promoting modern accounting studies. Zou hoped that the participating scholars would contribute invaluable insights and engage in discussions about the research and development of accounting history, thereby injecting new vitality into the progress of accounting studies.
During WCAH 2024, internationally renowned accounting scholars presented keynote speeches on various topics: Professor Guo Daoyang on The Longstanding and Glorious Ancient Accounting Culture of China; Richard Macve, Honorary Professor of Accounting at the London School of Economics and Political Science, on The Necessity for Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Accounting History Research; Professor Li Zhen from the National University of Singapore on Double-Entry Bookkeeping in the State of Wu During the Three Kingdoms Period (220A.D.-280A.D.); and Professor Massimo Sargiacomo, President of the Italian Academy of Accounting Historians on Accounting and Disasters in the History of Human Civilization. This session was moderated by Professor Li Jianfa, former Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Xiamen University, and Professor Zhao Dewu, former Secretary of the Party Committee of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics.
The two-day Congress features a variety of events, including symposiums on accounting history literature, roundtable discussions, keynote speeches, parallel sessions, and a closing ceremony. Participants would share research findings in accounting history and collectively explore its future development. The congress shows the achievements of global accounting civilization, including Chinese accounting to the world.
In July 2023, A General History of Chinese Accounting by senior professor of ZUEl, Guo Daoyang, was officially published by China Financial and Economic Publishing House. At the beginning of 2024, the launching ceremony and academic seminar for this book was hosted. In mid-June of 2024, the opening ceremony of China Accounting History Museum and Press Conference of WCAH 2024 was hosted. For further promotion, China Financial and Economic Publishing House has donated 40 sets of the book to the congress.