Institute of Global Development, Tsinghua University, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, United States
Dr. Zhi Wang is a distinguished economist renowned for his extensive contributions to international trade and global value chain analysis. He serves as a Research Professor and Senior Policy Fellow at the Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, and is the founding director of the Research Center of Global Value Chains at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. Dr. Wang’s career spans over three decades, during which he has held pivotal roles in both academic and governmental institutions, including the U.S. International Trade Commission and the World Bank. His research has significantly influenced the understanding of trade in value-added and the dynamics of global production networks. Dr. Wang’s work is characterized by methodological rigor and practical relevance, making him a leading figure in his field
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Wang earned his Ph.D. in Applied Economics with a minor in Computer and Information Sciences from the University of Minnesota in 1994. Prior to this, he completed an M.S. in Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology at Ohio State University in 1990, where he received the Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award from the American Agricultural Economics Association. He also holds an M.S. in Agricultural System Engineering from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, obtained in 1985. This strong educational foundation has equipped Dr. Wang with a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating economics, agriculture, and computational methods, which has been instrumental in his research on global trade and economic development.
Professional Experience
Dr. Wang’s professional journey includes significant roles in both academic and governmental organizations. He served as a Lead International Economist at the U.S. International Trade Commission, where he led research on global value chains and trade in value-added. His tenure at the Commission involved collaboration with international bodies such as the WTO, OECD, and World Bank. Dr. Wang has also held positions at the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. In academia, he has been a Senior Research Scientist at George Mason University and has held visiting professorships at institutions including Stanford University, Tsinghua University, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Research Interests
Dr. Wang’s research interests are centered on international trade, global value chains, and economic modeling. He has made significant contributions to the measurement and analysis of trade in value-added, providing insights into the complexities of global production networks. His work often employs computable general equilibrium models to assess the economic impacts of trade policies and globalization. Dr. Wang is also interested in the economic integration of the Greater China area and has explored the implications of state capitalism on domestic segments of global value chains. His research is characterized by a blend of theoretical innovation and empirical application, addressing both academic and policy-oriented questions.
Research Skills
Dr. Wang possesses a robust set of research skills that underpin his contributions to the field of international economics. He is proficient in computable general equilibrium modeling, which he utilizes to simulate the effects of trade policies and economic shocks. His expertise extends to the development and application of input-output tables and the reconciliation of trade data discrepancies. Dr. Wang has also been instrumental in constructing and refining global databases, such as the APEC Trade in Value-Added database, enhancing the accuracy of international trade statistics. His methodological rigor and technical proficiency have established him as a leading expert in the quantitative analysis of global trade dynamics.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Wang’s contributions have been recognized through numerous awards and honors. He received the Sun Yefang Economic Science Award twice, in 2002 and 2022, acknowledging his outstanding research in economics. In 2014, he was awarded the Peikang Chang Development Economics Award. His service at the U.S. International Trade Commission earned him the Distinguished Service Award in 2012. Dr. Wang has also been a Fulbright Senior Specialist, offering his expertise in trade policy analysis at institutions in Taipei and Beijing. His selection as a Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) Research Fellow on multiple occasions further underscores his significant impact on the field.
Conclusion
Dr. Zhi Wang’s extensive career reflects a profound commitment to advancing the understanding of international trade and global value chains. His interdisciplinary approach, combining economics, computational modeling, and policy analysis, has yielded influential research that informs both academic discourse and practical policymaking. Dr. Wang’s leadership in developing analytical frameworks and databases has provided valuable tools for assessing the complexities of global trade. His recognition through prestigious awards and appointments attests to his standing as a leading economist. Dr. Wang’s work continues to shape the field, offering critical insights into the evolving landscape of global economic integration.
Publications Top Notes
-
Title: An inter-city input-output database distinguishing firm ownership in the Greater China area during 2002–2017
Authors: Wang, Yafei; Xu, Dingyi; Zheng, Heran; Yang, Peihao
Journal: Scientific Data
Year: 202
-
Title: An interprovincial input–output database distinguishing firm ownership in China from 1997 to 2017
Authors: Chen, Quanrun; Gao, Yuning; Pan, Chen; Zhang, Meichen; Zhou, Yuanqi
Journal: (Not specified, likely Scientific Data)
Year: 2025
Citations: 7