From modest origins to a legacy of excellence, CUEB’s journey is a testament to the unyielding spirit of CUEBers and the enduring power of its motto: “advocating morality, valuing competence, strategizing national development, and serving the people.” To mark the university’s 70th anniversary, the Publicity Department of the Party Committee (News Center) has launched “CUEB Memories”, a special column to gain a deeper understanding of CUEB through its historical and cultural landmarks, and to inspire a brilliant new chapter.

Throughout its history, CUEB has been home to eminent scholars who pioneered the academic landscape of New China and shaped the university’s development. Today, we invite you to explore the story of Mr. Luo Yuanzheng.

[Biographical Note]

Born in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on February 14, 1924, Luo Yuanzheng graduated from West China Union University before pursuing further studies and a career in the United States. During this time, he served as the English interpreter and personal secretary to General Feng Yuxiang. He later earned his doctorate from the Faculty of Economics at Leningrad State University. In 1986, Luo joined CUEB as a professor and doctoral supervisor. A prolific and highly accomplished scholar dedicated to the Chinese economy, his research yielded profound practical applications. Notably, he was among the earliest economists in China to advocate for the theory of a market economy. Luo served as a member of the 6th, 7th, and 8th National Committees of the CPPCC, and sat on the CPPCC's Committee on Economic Affairs during its 7th and 8th terms. His wife, Feng Lida, was the eldest daughter of General Feng Yuxiang and Mrs. Li Dequan.

A Prolific Economist

Zhao Fengqi, former Secretary of Discipline Inspection Commission in CUEB, recalled that in 1986, Xie Xiying, then President of the Beijing Institute of Economics (CUEB’s predecessor), recruited Professor Luo from the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). This strategic move was specifically intended to bolster the institute’s international engagement and research output.

In fact, the institute had established contact with Professor Luo even before 1986. Through his daughter, Luo Mingzhao—who served as secretary to Jin’emon Konishi, Chairman of Japan’s Nippon Zoki Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.—the institute invited Konishi to visit China. Konishi’s close friend, Tatsunosuke Takasaki, who had deep ties with Premier Zhou Enlai, subsequently donated the “Takasaki Library” to the Beijing Institute of Economics, complete with an inscription by Deng Yingchao. In 1985, Konishi accompanied Koji Saeki, President of Ryutsu Keizai University, on a visit to the institute. This visit forged a friendly partnership and led to an agreement for the Japanese side to help train the institute’s young and mid-career core faculty. Since then, the tradition of CUEB’s young teachers studying and pursuing advanced degrees in Japan has continued uninterrupted.

About Mr. Luo Yuanzheng

Beyond his roles as a professor and doctoral supervisor at CUEB, Luo held identical positions at the Graduate School of CASS. Furthermore, he served as an adjunct professor and advisor for over a dozen prestigious institutions, including Peking University, University of Science and Technology Beijing, and Xi’an Jiaotong University. In 1991, he was recognized as an “Expert with Outstanding Contributions to Beijing” and was awarded the Special Government Allowance of the State Council. In March 1996, China’s Quest for the World: Selected Works of Luo Yuanzheng was published, followed by its sequel in February 2003. His representative works also include Pacific Economic Community , World Economy and China , A Golden Path: Renowned Economist Luo Yuanzheng , Selected Papers on Foreign Industrial Management (Vols. I & II) , and Introduction to E-Government .

Luo conducted extensive research across the economic field. By boldly introducing advanced foreign economic theories and management practices, he played a vital role in elevating the international standard of China’s economics community. Addressing the challenges that emerged during China’s economic system reform, he promptly offered pertinent and constructive advice to the Party and the government, earning significant attention and high praise from state leaders.

A Mysterious Encounter with Dr. Kissinger

In April 2006, an interview with Feng Lida by the CUEB campus newspaper brought to light a fascinating anecdote about Professor Luo Yuanzheng and Dr. Henry Kissinger. According to Feng, the well-known photograph of the two was taken in 1997 during the “China Forum Day” of the Sino-US Economic Forum in the United States. Invited by the U.S. business community, Luo was leading a Chinese economic delegation to the event, where both he and former U.S. Secretary of State Kissinger were featured guests.

At the forum, Kissinger delivered a speech titled Sino-US Relations , while Luo spoke on Pushing the Sustained Development of Sino-US Economic and Technological Cooperation into the New Century . Notably, the perspectives shared by these two eminent figures were remarkably aligned.

Their connection, however, predated this event. As early as the late 1970s, at the 9th World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Luo—serving as the Secretary-General of the first participating Chinese delegation—had his initial direct dialogue with Kissinger.

During the “China Forum Day” dinner in 1997, the two engaged in profound discussions on sensitive and complex global issues. Their exchange—characterized by sharp questions and insightful responses—deeply impressed the forum’s chair. When pressed by the reporter about the specifics of their conversation, Feng revealed a mutual pact: “They had a prior agreement. The details of that dialogue will not be disclosed to the world during their lifetimes.”

Luo Yuanzheng and Kissinger talk warmly at the Sino-US Economic Forum in 1997.

In 1997, their joint lecture was pre-arranged. The following year, Luo met Kissinger again at the Davos Forum. Kissinger told him with a smile: “It is a great pleasure to see you. China should participate in more international conferences; China needs to go global.” The two maintained their friendship in the years thereafter. Later, both were featured in the biographical dictionary Who’s Who in the World . Their scholarly connection was further immortalized in the Chinese edition of Great Achievements in a Vast World (authored by a South Korean entrepreneur), for which Luo wrote the preface and Kissinger provided the dedication—a fitting collaboration between the two great minds.

Love Story Behind Wedding Photo

When reporters leafed through Professor Feng Lida’s extensive work Health, Fitness and Longevity , they were surprised to find a color photograph taken 70 years ago in the picture section.

Young Feng Lida met the dashing young man Luo Yuanzheng in Chengdu in 1945. At that time, Luo was a student at West China Union University, while Feng studied at Cheeloo University. Luo founded the tabloid People and Times and wished to invite General Feng Yuxiang, Feng Lida’s father, to write an inscription for it. With the help of his friend Feng Lida, his wish came true after several attempts. The two young people shared common hobbies and interests. In the art performances of the Five Universities Choir, Luo sang tenor and Feng sang soprano, and the two performed in perfect sync.

In 1946, Feng Lida accompanied her parents to the United States, where she studied biology at Pacific Academy in California and assisted her father with some work. When Chiang Kai-shek launched the civil war, Feng Yuxiang angrily wrote Message to All Compatriots , decided to cooperate with the Communist Party of China, and was subsequently expelled from the Kuomintang and had his passport revoked. He was isolated and helpless in the United States, and was often tailed by plainclothes agents. At that time, Luo Yuanzheng, as General Feng Yuxiang’s secretary, took turns driving for him with his girlfriend Feng Lida. They also served as Feng Yuxiang’s guards, translators, secretaries and orderlies. On the Mid-Autumn Festival of 1947, General Feng drove from the western to the eastern United States, intending to promote anti-civil war activities among overseas Chinese. Feng and his wife Li Dequan sat in the back seat, while their daughter Feng Lida and Luo Yuanzheng took turns driving as usual. When the sun was shining brightly, Feng and his wife proposed that the two young people get married that very day. They handed the camera to a passing American, who took this precious color wedding photo.

Wedding portrait of Luo Yuanzheng and Feng Lida taken in the United States on the Mid-Autumn Festival of 1947. From left to right: Feng Yuxiang, Feng Lida, Luo Yuanzheng and Li Dequan.

This is also the last image left by General Feng Yuxiang (in 1948, General Feng died in a ship fire on his way back to China to attend the preparatory meeting for the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of the New China). To commemorate this special day, Feng Yuxiang opened the map and specially chose a place called “Love Lock” as their stop. As the sun set, Feng and his wife accompanied the newly-weds to check into the Love Lock Hotel. That night, Feng Yuxiang wrote a couplet for them—“ New Companions of Democracy, Two Pioneers of Freedom ”—to express his sincere blessings on their wedding. Nearly 70 years later, Feng Lida still treasured this precious old photo and the couplet written by her father.

In the early days of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Luo Yuanzheng and Feng Lida gave up their generous treatment abroad and returned to the motherland. They devoted their entire lives to making outstanding contributions to the country. Luo Yuanzheng held multiple positions, including professor at Peking University, vice President of the International Economic Association, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (PPCC for short), and professor at Capital University of Economics and Business. Feng Lida successively served as professor at the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, vice president of the deputy director of PLA Navy General Hospital, and member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese PPCC.

The romantic love between Luo Yuanzheng and Feng Lida lasted for more than half a century. Despite going through hardships, they still cared for and comforted each other. Later, they received care from Premier Zhou Enlai. After 1976, both of them ushered in a new chapter in their lives and made outstanding contributions to the country’s economic and medical undertakings.

Since they got married on the Mid-Autumn Festival, they attached great importance to celebrating this festival. Every year on this day, their children would return from overseas to gather together and celebrate the couple’s wedding anniversary. Professor Luo Yuanzheng passed away in August 2003. Professor Feng Lida wrote a deeply affectionate prose poem The Ever-Blooming Flower of Love , which she recited at the first anniversary of Luo Yuanzheng’s death and his academic theory symposium, deeply mourning her beloved husband and moving all relatives and friends present.

Professor Feng Lida passed away on February 8, 2008, at the age of 83. However, the tortuous and romantic love story of Luo Yuanzheng and Feng Lida has become a much-told tale in the world.