Many scholars nowadays pass nonsensical but sensational remarks to grab media headlines and use them to make money on the side. A few days ago, Ma Guangyuan, a Beijing-based economist, said China should rename Hebei province as "Zhili province", the name used for the administrative region during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties (1644-1911). Is Ma trying to make us believe that the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region can achieve better development if it were to be renamed "Zhili province"?

A mere change of name of the integrated Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region will have no effect on its development if no concrete measures are taken to propel its economy. Perhaps Ma knows this fact better than many, and he made the statement only to invite criticism and attract media attention, because he knows that will help him make more money by making speeches in the future.

It's a shame that some scholars have stooped to such low levels to gain publicity and make money instead of focusing on research.

FENGQING, via e-mail

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