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Sara Hsu

Sara Hsu

Dr. Sara Hsu is an expert in Chinese fintech, economic development, informal finance, and shadow banking. She is the author of “China’s Fintech Explosion.”

Sara Hsu is a Clinical Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Prior to that, she was an Associate Professor of Economics at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Dr. Hsu specializes in Chinese supply chains, fintech, economic development, informal finance, and shadow banking. She has published one of the only English-language books on the topic of Chinese fintech, “China’s Fintech Explosion,” and informal finance, “Informal Finance in China: American and Chinese Perspectives,” as well as one of the only Chinese-language books on Chinese shadow banking. She has also published a number of articles and books on the topics of sustainable development, financial crises, and trade.

Sara Hsu earned her Ph.D. from the University of Utah, her MBA from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and her BA from Wellesley College.
Posts by Sara Hsu
April 28, 2023

Avoiding a Costly China-US Conflict

By Sara Hsu
A direct China-U.S. conflict would cause hundreds of billions or trillions of dollars’ worth of economic damage through business disruptions alone.

March 01, 2023

Is China’s Reform and Opening Era Over?

By Sara Hsu
Xi changed China’s trajectory from the “Reform and Opening Up” of his predecessors toward a more internal and state-focused model of economic development.
September 14, 2022

How Is China Doing on ESG Goals?

By Sara Hsu
Chinese firms are moving in the right direction, but they lag behind Western firms that must follow ESG goals in order to compete.

August 17, 2022

Potential Logistical and Operational Costs of a China-Taiwan Conflict

By Sara Hsu
Half of the global container fleet passed through the Taiwan Strait this year, making it a critical waterway for global supply chains.

August 08, 2022

China’s Low-Growth Zero-COVID Policy Signals Transition Away From Reform Period

By Sara Hsu
China’s days of encouraging economic growth at any cost are over.

July 25, 2022

The Economic Effects of Extreme Heat in China

By Sara Hsu
Extreme heat is roiling China, challenging individuals and businesses in carrying out everyday activities.
July 10, 2022

China’s Delivery Drone Rollout: Slow but Steady

By Sara Hsu
China has increased the use of delivery drones to resolve the issue of distant rural deliveries as well as high urban demand pressures.

June 14, 2022

Foreign Banks Face Uncertainty in China

By Sara Hsu
China is a notoriously difficult place for foreign banks to successfully compete.

May 26, 2022

China’s Real Estate Slump: Underlying Issues

By Sara Hsu
Although the current approach will ease some major indicators, such as property sales and prices, they will not necessarily resolve the core issues.

May 16, 2022

What’s Behind China’s Ban on NFTs?

By Sara Hsu
Chinese authorities have made it clear that they do not welcome financial elements of the new economy, including NFTs.

April 25, 2022

China’s Zero COVID Policy to Renew US West Coast Port Congestion

By Sara Hsu
Lockdowns in Shanghai and elsewhere are resulting in shortages, as there’s a backlog of goods waiting to be moved within China and around the world.
April 15, 2022

China Eases Overseas Listing Rules

By Sara Hsu
U.S.-listed Chinese firms are breathing a sigh of relief after China relaxed restrictions on foreign auditors.

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