It happened that I was honoured by UIE with the assignment of being executive editor in chief for the project of Economics in China, 2004. Like all my predecessors in previous editions, the task is to pick out, amongst the papers recommended by the members of Compiling Committee, what I think is rather representative in terms of both focus and level of domestic research that year. Of 41 papers stacked up high on the table, 17 came to pass, making their lucky way to the final print. A tricky business, I have to say. But what matters is how the Jesus I juggled them all out.

 The sticks at hand are in three. One is the focus that is expected in line with some eye-popping issues bubbling up in the on-going reform. Two is the rigor as well as the norm (or standardisation) looked for in either academic or practical travails. And the last is the value inherent that would go a long way towards the build-up of knowledge and experience in the field. Little doubt, there are very much more than these 17 of the winning pack that live up to the par, only dropped in the last minute´s consideration for the mere sake of space available. Tough luck, as they are unwittingly rendered to team up with the group of also-rans. My apology all the same. It might yet be more comforting to know that the judgement exercised purely stays with me, not further beyond.

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