A trip through the history of the City of London Abstract: British Chinese economist Jonsson Li launched his two latest works at a book signing at Xidan Bookstore in Beijing on July 31.

Successful economics writer Jonsson Li launched his latest book The City of London at Xidan Bookstore in Beijing on July 31. The 31-year-old British Chinese economist who is currently, a visiting professor at Renmin University, has published four books and writes regular columns for newspapers at home and abroad, including the Financial Times and the Shanghai Securities News.

Li’s books are aimed at explaining British financial and business management strategies to a Chinese audience.

British Chinese business author Jonsson Li introduces his latest works at a book signing in Beijing on July 31, 2009. [China.org.cn]

In The City of London, Li presents the 200-year history of how London’s financial district evolved from a political centre to one of the world’s leading international financial and business centres.

Li believes the City’s policies and infrastructure could be used as a template for China to construct its own international financial centre.

“I really like this book because it not only provides financial knowledge, but is also a guide to the City, and is packed with colorful descriptions and historical anecdotes,” a reader told China.org.cn at the book signing.

British Chinese business author Jonsson Li autographs copies of his books for readers at a book signing in Beijing on July 31, 2009. [China.org.cn]

Another of Li’s books, Venture Capital and Private Equity, makes suggestions on China’s construction of a second-tier share market. “Medium and small-sized enterprises are having difficulty raising capital, even though they get preferential treatment when lending from banks,” said Li.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) began accepting applications for listings on the Growth Enterprise Market from July 26, increasing investment opportunities for venture capital. Li predicts the Chinese venture capital market will make great strides in the next two or three years.

Although venture capitalists are always looking for opportunities to invest in young, high-potential companies, Li discouraged entrepreneurs, especially new graduates from universities, from immediately approaching venture capital firms as soon as they have a few simple ideas. It is far better, he said, to first set up a working business with their own funds or with money borrowed from friends. There is little point in turning to venture capitalists without solid evidence of a successful financial track record.

(China.org.cn by Li Xiao August 3, 2009)