Free lecture by controversial Chinese author

Not many finance and economics books sell two million copies, but all four books in Song Hongbing’s Currency Wars series have reportedly done just that – and Aucklanders will soon have a chance to hear his controversial views on the global economy.

The author, who Bloomberg Businessweek has named as one of China’s most influential people, will give a lecture at Massey University’s Albany campus on October 6.

In his first book, which was published in 2007, Mr Song predicted the 2007 subprime mortgage crisis and the 2008 financial crisis. His thesis is that the major Western economies are controlled by a group of international bankers that use currency manipulation to generate wealth by loaning money in US dollars to developing countries, and then shorting their currency.

The book was widely read by senior level government and business leaders at a time when China was debating the opening up of its financial system. It became a runaway success and three subsequent Currency Wars books sold equally well.

Mr Song’s views, which include claims that the US Federal Reserve is controlled by private banks, have been labelled as conspiracy theories by many in the West – but there is no denying the power of his arguments within China itself.

The free lecture was organised after a visit by a group of Auckland MPs and local body politicians to the Albany campus. Labour MP Raymond Huo, who is of Chinese descent, saw an opportunity for Massey to host Mr Song while he was on his international tour.

The event is being hosted by Massey University’s Auckland Knowledge Exchange Hub, a platform for research partnerships with the business sector and local government in the Auckland region.

Lecture details:
Saturday October 6
1.30 – 3.30pm
Sir Neil Waters Lecture Theatres
Albany Campus
Massey University