Hi I'm (William) Wenyin Cheng. I am now working at IDE-JETRO (Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization) as an Associate Senior Researcher. Prior to joining IDE-JETRO, I worked at OECD and Tsinghua University. I hold Ph.D. from Tsinghua University and visited Columbia University for one year as a joint PhD student.
My ongoing projects focus on three main areas: (1) the study of innovation, particularly in the domains of open-source innovation, artificial intelligence, digitalization and innovation policy, with special emphasis on the application of large language models (LLMs); (2) the integration of innovation networks with production networks to gain deeper insights into the structural and dynamic features of contemporary economies; and (3) the development of novel theoretical frameworks to analyze productivity within global value chains.
My previous research has utilized econometric methods to investigate a broad array of fields, including development, international, environmental, and labor economics. Empirically, I rely extensively on highly disaggregated micro-level big data, including patent records, customs transactions, industrial firm data, and economic census datasets. On the theoretical side, I have developed models grounded in productivity accounting frameworks, quantitative trade theory, dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models, and welfare analysis.
I have authored dozens of papers in peer-reviewed journals, including Technovation, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, China Economic Review. Additionally, I serve as an editorial board member for the International Journal of Innovation Studies and acts as a peer reviewer for multiple academic journals. My research has also been featured in various media outlets.
If you have an interest in innovation or global value chain, please feel free to get in touch.
Cheng, W. (2024). The ladder of innovation: Escaping the "middle-technology trap". Beijing: China Social Sciences Press. August. (In Chinese)
Meng, B., Cheng, W. (2024).Trade and investment relations between ASEAN and Japan: A global value chain perspective. Chapter 11 in book: Hamada, M. (eds) ASEAN and Japan: Ever-Changing Economic Relationships. IDE-JETRO. (In Japanese)
Teixeira, A., Cheng, W., Jiang, Z. (2023). China-LAC trade: Competition or complementarity?. Chapter 7 in book: Schneider, A., Teixeira, A.G. (eds) China, Latin America, and the Global Economy. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Cheng, W., Li, Z., Chen, J., Ye, M. (2025). Smile curve of technological learning: A case study of nuclear power reactor technology in China. Industrial and Corporate Change, dtaf013. (peer-reviewed, SSCI, Q1)
Cheng, W., Liu, S., Meng, B., Gao, Y. (2025). Impact of Countercyclical Fiscal Policy on Total Factor Productivity in State-Owned Enterprises: A Corporate Governance Perspective. Economic Analysis and Policy, 85:1916–1930. (peer-reviewed, SSCI, Q1, 2023IF: 7.9)
Cheng, W., Meng, B., Gao, Y., & Dollar, D. (2024). The paradox of decelerated technology importation and accelerated innovation in China: Insights from national technology development zones. China Economic Review, 88 (December), 102303 (peer-reviewed, SSCI, Q1, 2023IF: 5.2)
Cheng, W., Ouyang X., Yu, A., Shen, Z., & Vardanyan, M. (2024). Subjective perceptions versus objective outcomes: Assessing the impact of smart city pilots on environmental quality in China. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 209, 123799 (peer-reviewed, SSCI, Q1, 2023IF: 12.9)
Wang, D., Sun, M., Meng, B., An, Y., Cheng, W., Ye, B. (2024). Can carbon market efficiency promote green technology innovation for Chinese companies? Energy, 309, 133157. (peer-reviewed, SCI, Q1, 2023 IF: 9.0)
Cheng, W., Li, Z., Chen, J. (2024). Chinese innovation modernization and self-reliance in science and technology: Perspective of autonomous introduction. China Soft Science, (11): 12-22. (Top in Chinese, peer-reviewed, CSSCI)
Cheng, W., Li, Z., Chen, J., Yang, B., Liu, Y. (2024). The developmental logic of China's patent policy: Goal orientation, practical outcomes, and avenues for improvement. Development Research, (5):38-44. (In Chinese, peer-reviewed, CSSCI)
Li, Z., Cheng, W., Liu, S., Hu, A. (2024). National high-tech zone, innovation collaboration and innovation quality: Perspective of dual innovation collaboration. Science of Science and Management of S&T, 45(01): 110-124. (In Chinese, peer-reviewed, CSSCI, corresponding author)
Cheng, W., Pan, X., Chen, J., Gao, Y.. (2024). How does privatization of state-owned enterprises promote the original innovation: The role of institution and policies? Science of Science and Management of S.&.T, 45(09):71-90. (In Chinese, peer-reviewed, CSSCI)
Xie, Y., Zhang, P., Yang, Z., Cheng, W. (2023). Redistributive capacity and international trade: A cross-country analysis. Global Economic Review, 52(2): 167-186.
Zhao, Q., Luo, Q., Wang, L., Cheng, W. (2023). Are inventors better CEOs? Evidence from China. Review of Economic Assessment, 2(1): 1-25.
Wang, L., Zhao, Q., Cheng, W. (2023). Political promotion and manufacturing firm productivity: Evidence from Chinese firms. Review of Economic Assessment, 2(2), 1-16. (peer-reviewed)
Cheng, W., Pan, X., Hu, A. (2023). Empower cities with intellectual property: From "potential" to "manifest strength" Urban Insight, (5): 33-41. (In Chinese, peer-reviewed)
Cheng, W., Wang, Q., Ouyang, X., Xie, Y., Gao, Y., Yu, A. (2022). Effect of economic and technological development zones on green innovation: Learning by importing perspective. Journal of Global Information Management, 30(6), 48:1-18. (peer-reviewed, SSCI, Q3, IF: 1.373)
Pan, X., Cheng, W., Gao, Y. (2022). Impact of privatization of state-owned Enterprises on innovation in China: A tale of privatization degree. Technovation, 118: 102587 (peer-reviewed, corresponding author). (SSCI, Q1, top, IF: 11.373)
Cheng, W., Hu, A., Chen, X. (2022). Development of high-value patents in the context of building a powerful intellectual property nation for China: Measurement and empirical analysis. Journal of Beijing University of Technology, (5):1-12, (In Chinese, peer-reviewed, CSSCI, IF: 2.833, Rank: 7/637)
Cheng, W., Li, Z., Liu, S., Hu, A. (2022). Tridimensional evaluation method and empirical analysis of China's patent quality. Information Studies: Theory & Application, 45(07):95-101. (In Chinese, peer-reviewed, CSSCI, IF: 3.276, Rank: 4/46)
Pan, X., Cheng W., Gao, Y., Baležentis, T., Shen, Z. (2021). Is Environmental Regulation Effective in Promoting the Quantity and Quality of Green Innovation? Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28:6232-6241. (peer-reviewed, SCI, IF: 3.056, share the first co-authorship)
Pan, X., Gao, Y., Guo, D., Cheng W.* (2020). Does higher education promote firm innovation in China? Sustainability, 12(18), 7326: 1-15. (peer-reviewed, SSCI, IF: 2.576)
Cheng, W., Yang, Z., Pan, X., Baležentis, T., Chen, X. (2020). Evolution of Carbon Shadow Prices in China’s Industrial Sector During 2003–2017: A By-Production Approach. Sustainability, 12(2), 722: 1-15. (peer-reviewed, SSCI, IF: 2.576)
Gao, Y., Cheng, W., Yuan, Q. (2018). Understanding the global imbalance from the perspective of processing trade value added of China. Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, 16(4):1-20. (peer-reviewed, Taylor & Francis Journal, IF: 1.306)
Yang, Z., Cheng, W., Hu, A. (2018). What can the world learn from China’s development Open Times, Special Issue: 68-78 (In Chinese, peer-reviewed, CSSCI, IF: 2.221, Rank: 25/637)
Hu, A., Cheng, W.*, Yang, Z. (2018). The leadership of the Communist Party and the reform of the party and state agencies. Administration Reform, (5):13-17. (In Chinese, peer-reviewed, CSSCI, IF: 2.359, Rank: 17/173)
Transformation of principal social contradiction and supply-side structural reform in China. Journal of Nanjing University, (1):5-16. (In Chinese, peer-reviewed, CSSCI, 2019IF: 1.918, Rank: 36/637)
Hu, A., Cheng, W. (2017). Why China’s high-tech industry catches up with that of the United States in size: Joint effect of “five policies”. Journal of Nanjing University, (3):4-14. (In Chinese, peer-reviewed, CSSCI, IF: 1.918, Rank: 36/637, corresponding author)
Qu, Y., Cheng, W. (2017). Misallocation, market distortion and welfare loss in China: Perspective of TFP decomposition based on unit factor cost. Economic Theory and Business Management, (5):40-52. (In Chinese, peer-reviewed, CSSCI, IF: 3.623, Rank: 13/92)
Liu, S., Cheng, W., Xiong, X. (2016). New generation of migrant workers and the declining rural saving rate in China. Chinese Rural Economy, (3):2-11. (In Chinese, peer-reviewed, CSSCI, IF: 9.868, Rank: 1/51)
Cheng, Wenyin, Zhaochen Li, Angang Hu. 2025. Technology Trap: Lessons from the Development of China’s Nuclear Power Technology. China Study, Issue 6, March 10. (In Chinese)
Cheng, Wenyin, Bo Yang, Angang Hu. 2021. The strategic logic of China’s patent leapfrog development. China Study, Issue 22, August 26. (In Chinese)
Cheng, Wenyin, Bo Yang. 2021. International and domestic experiences on building science and technology innovation center and their implications for Chengdu city. China Study, Special Issue 3, August 11. (In Chinese)
Hu, Angang, Wenyin Cheng, Yuning Gao. 2018. The nature of US-China dispute is technology competition. China Study, Issue 14, August 10. (In Chinese)
Cheng Wenyin, Angang Hu, Jiali Du, and Yulong Kuang. Promoting innovation-driven development by complementing the technology chain industry chain to empower Chengdu's high-quality development. Chengdu Research, Vol.247, February 8, 2021. (In Chinese)
Hu, Angang, Yilong Yan, Wenyin Cheng. 2017. Transformation of China’s principal social contradiction in the new era. China Study, Issue 30, October 27. (In Chinese)
Hu, Angang, Wenyin Cheng. 2017. Correct comprehension and continuous improvement of the industrial policy system in China. China Study, Issue 27, August 29. officially commended by vice premier Kai MA, and forwarded to the Department of High Technology, National Development and Reform Commission. (In Chinese)
Hu, Angang, Wenyin Cheng. 2017. Why China’s high-tech industry catches up with that of the United States in size? China Study, Special Issue 7, March 28. (In Chinese)
Hu, Angang, Yahua Wang, Wenyin Cheng, Linyong Liu, Zhen Li. 2021. Suggestions for building Chengdu's open innovation highland in the new development paradigm Internal reference for Chengdu Government, issue 3, August 11. officially commended by Chengdu government. (In Chinese)
Hu, Angang, Wenyin Cheng. 2017. The distinctive features of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. Chinese Social Sciences Today, November 19. (In Chinese)
Hu, Angang, Wenyin Cheng. 2017. China's economy is stable and far-reaching. People's Daily, October 14. (In Chinese)
Hu, Angang, Wenyin Cheng. 2017. The evolution of China's industrial policies since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Outlook, (36):12-13, September 4. (In Chinese)
Cheng, Wenyin. 2017. April economic data continued to show the power of supply-side reform. Guangming Daily Online, May 22. (In Chinese)
Hu, Angang, Wenyin Cheng. 2017. Green development leads the “Belt and Road”. Guangming Online, May 17. (In Chinese)
"One hundred years of Chinese history with youth": telling a history well and guide a generation of youth. Reported by Guangming Daily, January 26, 2022, page 13. (In Chinese)
Cheng Wenyin, "What is the focus of national innovation and urban innovation? Interviewed by Chengdu Daily, June 17, 2022, page 07. (In Chinese)
Cheng Wenyin and Fu Haidong, "How do "innovation curation" and "circle building and chain strengthening" interact? Interviewed by Chengdu Daily, June 24, 2022, p. 07. (In Chinese)
Cheng, W., Meng, B., Tangjun, Y. (2025). The paradox of productivity and welfare: The role of institutional markdown. IDE Discussion Paper No.959.
Cheng, W., Liang, T., Meng, B. Zhang, H. (2025). Industrial Subsidies along Domestic Value Chains and their Impacts on China’s Exports. RIETI Discussion Paper.
Cheng, W., Fukao, K., & Meng, B. (2024). Global value chains: Unveiling the nexus of productivity and welfare. IDE Discussion Paper No.933.
Cheng, W., Wei, S., Meng, Gao, Y. Dynamic General Equilibrium in Production Networks .
Cheng, W., Meng,B., Gao, Y. (2023). ‘Made in the world’: Measuring the productivity of global value chains. IDE Discussion Paper No.890.
Cheng, W., Pan, X., Meng, B. (2024). Foreignization and innovation: Insights from heterogenous supply chains. IDE Discussion Paper No.938.
Cheng, W., Zhan, W. Trust and innovation.
Cheng, W., Ouyang, X, Wang Y. People-centered digital policy: The impact of smart city pilots on social welfare.
Cheng, W., Wang, X. Decoding people-centered AI policy in China through large language models.
Cheng, W., Wang, L. Digital infrastructure, AI human capital and firm performan.
Cheng, W., Inomata, S., & Meng, B. Learning by importing in China: A value chain perspective.
Cheng, W., Wang, L., Chen, J., Gao, Y. (2025) Escaping the Middle-Technology Trap——Case study on China's Nuclear Power Technology. R&R at China Soft Science (In Chinese).
American Social Science Association (ASSA) Annual Conference. in San Francisco, United States. 3-5, January, 2025. Presenter: “Global value chains: Unveiling the nexus of productivity and welfare.” by Wenyin Cheng (IDE), Bo Meng (IDE) and Kyoji Fukao (IDE).
Tsinghua University-IDE-JETRO Joint Workshop: Global Value Chain Resilience and the Chinese Economy. in Beijing, China. 14, December, 2024. Discussant: Infusion by friendly leading economies: the case from US. by Yao Wang, Hong Bao (CUHK,SZ), Bo Meng (IDE).
Background Paper Workshop Global Value Chain (GVC) Development Report 2025: Re-globalization - Opportunities for More Inclusive and Greener GVCs. in Beijing, China. 12- 13, December, 2024. Presenter: The Impact of Productivity on National Welfare Through Global Value Chains. by Wenyin Cheng (IDE), Bo Meng (IDE) and Kyoji Fukao (IDE).
RIN (Research Institute Network) Annual Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. 25- 28, November, 2024. Presenter: Foreign Shareholding, Ownership and Innovation: Insights from Heterogenous Supply Chains. by Wenyin Cheng (IDE), Xia Pan (UNU-MERIT) and Bo Meng (IDE).
30th IIOA Conference in Santiago, Chile. 1- 5, July, 2024. Presenter: The Impact of Productivity on National Welfare Through Global Value Chains. by Wenyin Cheng (IDE), Bo Meng (IDE) and Kyoji Fukao (IDE).
International Joint Workshop “The Chinese Economy and Global Value Chain Resilience”. at IDE-JETRO, Chiba, Japan; Date: 26-27 Oct 2023. (organized by IDE-JETRO, Nagoya University, Tsinghua University, Hubei University of Economics). Presenter: Global Value Chains, TFP Growth, and Economic Welfare. by Wenyin Cheng (IDE) and Kyoji Fukao (IDE). Discussant: The Changing Structure of Global Value Chains and Technological Change: Evidence from the Firm-Level Patent Data. by Keiko Ito (Chiba University).
Hitotsubashi Workshop on Economic Measurement. October 25, 2023. The International House of Japan. Presenter: Global Value Chains, TFP Growth, and Economic Welfare. by Wenyin CHENG, Kyoji FUKAO, Bo MENG.
Chapter Authors’ Workshop “GVC Development Report 2023: Resilient and Sustainable GVCs in Turbulent Times”. at IDE-JETRO, Chiba, Japan; Date: 5-6 June 2023. Coordinator. (organized by ADB, WTO, IDE-JETRO, ISDB, UIBE, CDRF).
29th IIOA Conference in ALGHERO, Sardinia, Italy. 25- 30, June, 2023. Presenter: New Chinese Input-Output Tables: Considering Firm Size and Ownership. by Bo MENG, Fei WANG, Yuning GAO, Yu LIU, Kyoji FUKAO, Wenyin CHENG, et al. Presenter: 'Made in the World': Measuring the Productivity of Global Value Chains. by Wenyin CHENG, Bo MENG, Yuning GAO, Shang-jin WEI, Kyoji FUKAO.
KEIO International Economics workshop. May 17, 2023. Presenter: 'Made in the World': Measuring the Productivity of Global Value Chains. by Wenyin CHENG, Bo MENG, Yuning GAO, Shang-jin WEI, Kyoji FUKAO.
141st Session of the Committee on Industry, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), OECD. 29-30 November 2022. Hybrid meeting at the OECD Headquarters, Paris. Discussant: Policies to strengthen the resilience of global value chains: Empirical evidence from the COVID-19 shock. by Cyrille Schwellnus, Antton Haramboure, Lea Samek (OECD).
Global Value Chain Training and Research Workshop. Organized by University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), the WTO and Asian Global Institute at the University of Hong Kong. July 30-August 04, 2018 Beijing, China
World Bank Group Youth Summit 2022. May 26 –May 27, 2022. Zoom online.
The Chinese Economists Society 2022 Annual Conference. June 25 –June 26, 2022. Zoom online. Presenter: Place-based innovation policies and China’s patent boom: quantity vs. quality? by Wenyin CHENG. Discussant: Smart City Construction and Green Innovation：Evidence at China's city level. by Yanan TANG (Northeastern University)
2020 Chinese Economic Association (Europe/UK) China Annual Conference. July 11, 2020, Zoom online.
Release of the “Global Value Chain Development Report 2019: Technological Innovation, Supply Chain Trade and Workers in a Globalized World”, in the Spring Meetings of World Bank and International Monetary Fund. April 08-14, 2019, Washington D.C. USA.
Columbia Business School, Columbia University. April 2019, New York, USA. Presenter: Import and Innovation: A Supply Chain Perspective. by Wenyin CHENG.
Stern School of Business, New York University. April 2019, New York, USA. Presenter: Import and Innovation: A Supply Chain Perspective. by Wenyin CHENG.
Imperial-Tsinghua Global Fellows Programme: Climate Change and Energy. Organized by Imperial College and Tsinghua University. July 08-13, 2018 Beijing, China.
International Summer School of New Structural Economics. Organized by former chief economist of the World Bank Justin Yifu Lin. Winner of the research funding (the only student in mainland China), July 24 – August 1, 2015 Beijing, China.
Principal Investigator, AI for Human: Welfare Effect of AI Technology through Global Value Chains, JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists (#: 25K16655), April 2025 – March 2028.
Principal Investigator, Choke points of International Competitiveness: Perspective of Global Value Chains, JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up (#: 23K18798), April 2023 – March 2025.
Co-Investigator, Global Value Chain Development Report, a collaborative effort involving the WTO, ADB, OECD, World Bank, UIBE, and other institutions, biannually published.
Member, Medium- and Long-Term Challenges Facing China's Economy: Exploring the Deep Problems of Economic Growth. supported by IDE-JETRO, April 2020 – March 2026.
Co-Investigator, The Key Pathways and Significant Measures for Productivity Enhancement During the 14th Five-year Period, supported by China’s Special Funding for National High-end Think Tanks (#: 2020ZAF004), June 2020 – December 2020.
Co-investigator, Strategies on Developing New Engines of Economic Growth and Accelerating the Replacement of Old Engines—A Case of High-tech Industry, supported by China’s Special Funding for National High-end Think Tanks (#: 20155010298), January 2017 – December 2017.
Member, Study on Global Value Chain and China's Industrial Upgrading. supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China key project (#: 71503047), January 2018 – December 2022.
Fellows Prize of the 30th Conference of International Input-Output Association, 2024;
"Outstanding Postdoctoral Academic Achievement" award granted by the National Postdoctoral Administration Committee of China, 2023;
Shuimu Scholar of Tsinghua University, 2021.
Frontier of China and World Development at Tsinghua University (In Chinese);
Frontier of International Political Economics at Tsinghua University (In English);
Contemporary China Studies at Tsinghua University (In Chinese).
UNU-MERIT (PhD);
Tsinghua University (Master, PhD);
State University of New York (PhD)
International Journal of Innovation Studies;
Urban Insight (城市观察)
China Economic Review; Economic Analysis and Policy; Structural Change and Economic Dynamics; The Developing Economies; IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management; Nature-Humanities and Social Sciences Communications; ......
Tokyo, Japan Beijing, China