The 2019 "Influencer of the Year" ceremony, organized by China News Weekly magazine, was held in Beijing on Dec. 14. The festival has compiled an annual list of influential people who have contributed to and influenced various sectors of Chinese society over the past year. Dong Mingzhu (Economic Figure of the Year), chairman and President of Gree Electric Appliances Co., LTD, a famous alumnus of our school, topped the list.

Since 2009, China Newsweek has decided to honor influential people with a list that promotes rational values. Jack Ma, Shan Jixiang, Liu Guoliang, Wen Muye and Wang Junkai have all been selected as the "Influential People of the Year". This year, the list covers politics, economy, culture, sports, science and technology, public welfare, performing arts and other fields. It was strictly selected by China News Weekly and solicited opinions from authoritative experts in relevant fields. Xia Chunping, vice President and chief editor of China News Service and President of China News Weekly, said in his speech on behalf of the organizer, "This list comes from all walks of life, and it may be a little bit of money, but together, they are the backbone that can lead the tide of The Times.