Speaker: Haochen Zhang, Research Fellow (School of Economics, Zhejiang University)
Host: Lan Lan, Assistant Professor (Li Anmin Institute of Economics, Liaoning University)
Guest Introduction: Guohao Yang, Assistant Professor (Li Anmin Institute of Economics, Liaoning University)
Date: November 21, 2025 (Friday)
Time: 10:00–11:30 (Beijing Time)
Venue: First-floor Conference Room, Wuzhou Yuan, Chongshan Campus, Liaoning University
Online Access: Tencent Meeting ID 730-281-8924
Language: Chinese/English
Abstract:
Classical theories predict that higher agricultural endowment per capita could slow down structural transformation. This paper provides causal evidence in support of this prediction and highlights the conditions of this proposition. Using detailed data from China, we show that arable land per capita did not impede structural transformation before trade liberalization, but it did so only after trade liberalization. This relationship also holds in a sub-national sample across 33 countries. Based on prefecture- and firm-level data from China, we show that high arable land per capita significantly attenuates the positive effect of trade liberalization on structural transformation. The mechanism is consistent with rich agricultural endowment raising the opportunity cost for farmers to leave the agricultural sector. Overall, our findings suggest a potential ``resource curse'' of agricultural endowment.
Speaker Profile:
Haochen Zhang is a "Hundred Talents Program" Research Fellow and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Economics, Zhejiang University. He obtained his Ph.D. in Economics from Peking University in 2024. His research interests include labor economics, development economics, public economics, behavioral economics, and related fields. His work has been accepted or published in leading domestic and international journals such as the *Journal of Labor Economics*, *Research Policy*, *Journal of Economic Geography*, and *China Economic Quarterly*. He has presided over a Youth Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China. His research achievements have been recognized with honors including the Peking University Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award and the Gregory Chow Best Student Paper Award from the Chinese Economists Society.
