In June 2024, Professor Lu Yue, director of the laboratory, was invited to participate in the 8th National Forum for Young Scholars in International Trade Disciplines and the 2024 International Economics and Trade PhDForum, co-hosted by the Secretariat of the National Forum for Young Scholars in International Trade and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and organized by the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Professor Lu presented a keynote report titled “Does FDI Increase Product Innovation of Domestic Firms? Evidence from China.” The forum was attended by Professor He Chuantian, Vice President of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies; Professor Qian Xuefeng, Secretary-General of the National Forum for Young Scholars in International Trade; and Professor Li Xiaoping, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Director of the Department of Scientific Research at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law.

On June 8, 2024, the 8th National Forum for Young Scholars in International Trade Disciplines and the 2024 International Economic and Trade PhD Forum was grandly held at the University City Campus of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, under the theme “Expanding High-Level Opening-Up in the New Global Environment.” The forum was organized by the National Forum for Young Scholars in International Trade and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, with co-organization from the Secretariat of the National Forum for Young Scholars in International Trade and the School of Economics and Trade of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Journals including International Trade Issues, International Economic and Trade Exploration, World Economy, China & World Economy, World Economic Herald, Nankai Economic Studies, World Economy Research, International Business Studies, and Journal of Capital University of Economics and Business collaborated in the event. The forum attracted more than 100 participants, including scholars, students, and journal editorial staff from universities across the country.

The forum, held on June 8, featured an opening ceremony, keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, a Young Scholars Forum, and interactive sessions between journal editors and authors. On the morning of June 9, eight parallel PhD forums on international economics and trade were held.

I. Opening Ceremony and Outstanding Paper Award Ceremony for the International Economics and Trade PhD Forum

The opening ceremony of the forum was presided over by Professor Sun Churen, Dean of the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Deputy Secretary-General of the Young Scholars Forum. Dean Sun warmly welcomed the attending experts and scholars and introduced the background and contributions of the guests. He emphasized the growing importance of international trade in the global economy and the significant value of enhancing academic exchanges.

Professor Shen Minghao, Vice President of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the university. He introduced the rankings and research achievements of various disciplines at the university, particularly highlighting the progress and accomplishments in the field of international trade. He noted that the university plays a vital role in international trade research and encouraged participating scholars to jointly to promote academic research and the transformation of research outcomes, thereby contributing to China's high-level opening-up.

Professor Qian Xuefeng, Director of the Academic Affairs Department of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Secretary-General of the Young Scholars Forum, delivered a speech on behalf of the Secretariat of the National Forum for Young Scholars in International Trade Disciplines. He pointed out the phenomenon of "inefficient escalation" in academia, where excessive competition and unreasonable evaluation mechanisms exist. He made three suggestions to address this: First, focus on real issues, namely those that serve the country's high-level opening-up and governance needs; second, conduct genuine research using scientific methods, microfoundations, and quantitative approaches rather than simply aiming for a high number of publications; third, embrace inclusive innovation, where reviewers should hold themselves to high standards but treat others leniently, encouraging zero-to-one innovation and fostering high-level development in trade.

Following the opening speeches, the forum held the award ceremony for the "Best Paper" of the PhD forum. The "Best Paper Award" was presented to Dr. Wang Tianyu from Nankai University for his paper titled "Dual Approach: Industrial Policy and Innovation Enhancement through FDI" and Dr. Chen Xianmeng from Xiamen University for his paper "Chinese Production-Oriented Export Intermediaries: Measurement and Explanation." Dr. Wang’s research explored how innovation could be promoted through a dual approach involving industrial policy and FDI, providing valuable insights for policymakers. Dr. Chen’s research systematically measured and explained the role of production-oriented export intermediaries in China, revealing their importance and unique mechanisms in international trade. Vice President Shen Minghao and Secretary-General Qian Xuefeng presented the “Best Paper Award” to the two PhD students.

II. Keynote Speeches of Conference

Following the opening ceremony, the keynote speeches were chaired by Professor Li Tieli, former Dean of the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and Professor Cui Riming, former Deputy Director of the Economics Department at Liaoning University.

Professor Shen Minghao, Vice President of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, gave a speech titled “Data Flows and Data Governance,” raising three questions: How will happen to the production function after the introduction of data as a factor of production? Is there a correlation or causal relationship between digitalization and performance metrics? How to explore the underlying mechanisms of cost reduction, efficiency improvement, and innovation promotion? Professor Shen discussed the rules and current status of data flows in the Greater Bay Area, the challenges of cross-border data flows in the region, and the two directions for data openness and flow. 

Professor Qian Xuefeng delivered a keynote speech titled “The ‘Disappearing’ Borders: The Pivotal Role of Digital Technology,” where he elaborated on the concept of "borders" in the context of globalization, friend-shoring, and the role of digital technology in connecting the world. His research found that the border effects created by geopolitical borders are greater than those created by traditional borders, while the offsetting effect of digital technology on traditional border effects is stronger than on geopolitical borders. 

Professor Huang Xifei, Dean of the School of International Finance at Sun Yat-sen University and Deputy Secretary-General of the Young Scholars Forum, delivered a speech on "Clan Culture and OFDI of Listed Companies." From the perspective of informal institutional factors, clan culture is used to explain the differences in the scale of OFDI among listed companies, and the research horizon of the determinants of corporate OFDI is expanded.His research extended the study of the economic outcomes of clan culture to the area of corporate OFDI, providing solid empirical evidence for a deeper understanding of the economic value of China's traditional cultural heritage.

Professor Fu Yuanhai, Dean of the School of Economics and Statistics at Guangzhou University, gave a speech titled "The Belt and Road Initiative and Manufacturing Autonomy: From the Perspective of Production Processes in Participating Countries," exploring whether the Belt and Road Initiative promotes autonomy and security in the manufacturing processes of participating countries. The study showed that the initiative significantly improved the autonomy of manufacturing production processes while reducing the degree of control reflected in diversification, especially for developing countries, small economies, and land-based Silk Road countries.

Professor Lu Yue, Executive Dean of the Academy for Global Innovation and Governance at the University of International Business and Economics and Deputy Secretary-General of the Young Scholars Forum, delivered a speech titled "Does FDI Increase Product Innovation of Domestic Firms? Evidence from China." Professor Lu shared research on how FDI affects domestic firms' product innovation through horizontal and vertical spillover effects. The study found that FDI inflows into upstream industries positively impacted the product range of domestic firms, while FDI inflows into downstream industries had a negative impact on product range.

III. Roundtable Discussion

Following the keynote speeches was the "Roundtable Discussion," moderated by Professor Sun Churen, Dean of the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. The roundtable focused on two main themes: "Intrinsic Development of Disciplines in Economics and Trade" and "Top-Level Design for Training High-Quality Research Talents in Economics and Trade." 

Professor Qian Xuefeng, Dean of the Department of Education and Secretary-General of the Young Scholars Forum, shared Zhongnan University of Economics and Law’s experience in restructuring its talents cultivation model through the "Four Synchronizations" approach. The "Four Synchronizations" refer to: Sinicization, digitalization, integration, and internationalization. This includes aligning talent cultivation with the realities of China, enhancing digital literacy among faculty and students through the development of digital infrastructure, integrating finance and law to cultivate specialized talent, and building internationally accredited programs in line with global standards to develop finance and law professionals capable of adapting to contemporary changes.

Professor Li Xiaoping, Dean of the School of Social Sciences at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, addressed the current decline in interest in the finance studies. He emphasized that, in the digital age, institutions need to build four key areas: (1) developing infrastructure; (2) providing resources; (3) creating digital environments; and (4) improving digital literacy among faculty and students. He suggested that professional talent cultivation should maintain alignment with mainstream academic programs while creating unique features. He also proposed enhancing finance and law integration through a six-in-one model. Regarding academic development, he underscored that scholars are key, students represent hope, and students help link the discipline's many aspects. 

Professor Huang Xinfei, Dean of the School of International Finance at Sun Yat-sen University and Deputy Secretary-General of the Young Scholars Forum, stressed the importance of designing a comprehensive talent cultivation plan to ensure full coverage of the entire talent development chain. He emphasized that digitalization, intelligence, and systematization are forward-looking factors in talent cultivation. He also suggested that undergraduate students have the potential for academic research and advocated for enhanced interaction between students and faculty so that students can learn about ongoing research and stay at the forefront of academic fields. 

Professor He Huanlang, Dean of the School of International Economics and Trade at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, introduced the "Critical Thinking Talent" concept, noting that the university is currently launching an experimental class aimed at cultivating internationally applicable talent. However, given the increasingly challenging employment environment, he proposed innovative new solutions. He reiterated the importance of the "Critical Thinking Talent" model, focusing on fostering international talent in e-commerce, logistics, and trade. 

Professor Fu Yuanhai, Dean of the School of Economics and Statistics at Guangzhou University, pointed out the challenges in cultivating talent, stating that this is a problem faced by all institutions. He provided suggestions on professional talent cultivation based on an analysis of current realities, noting that there is a gap between students' training and their cognitive development. He highlighted the difficulties in nurturing top-tier talent and stressed the need to overcome these challenges in the process of student development.

Professor Li Han, Dean of the School of International Business at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, remarked on the decline of interest in finance disciplines, noting that finance and economics schools are generally facing falling admission scores. As the global order continues to evolve, finance institutions must proactively embrace these changes. However, current talent cultivation models have not yet fully adapted to the new environment, suggesting that future training programs should better align with the needs of the changing global context.

Professor Huang Yangping, Dean of the School of Finance and Economics at Jimei University, shared the university’s experiences, successes and confidence in cultivating talent in the field of international trade. He expressed confidence in Jimei University’s talent cultivation efforts and emphasized the importance of digital development in the construction of academic disciplines, particularly in the areas of cross-border e-commerce, to stay aligned with the times.

In conclusion, Professor Sun Churen, Dean of the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, provided a summary. He emphasized that disciplines must innovate in international trade theory to avoid becoming obsolete and must rebuild talent cultivation models. He affirmed that international trade as a discipline still has a promising future and aligns well with the country's demand for professionals in this field. 

IV. Forum for Young Experts

Forum for Young Experts (Session I) was chaired by Professor Li Xiaoping, Director of the Scientific Research Department and Dean of the School of Social Sciences at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law. The session's discussants were Professor Huang Xifei, Dean of the School of International Finance at Sun Yat-sen University and Deputy Secretary-General of the Young Scholars Forum, and Professor Li Han, Dean of the School of International Business at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics. Four papers were presented in this session.

Professor Lu Xiaodong (Vice Dean of the Lingnan College, Sun Yat-sen University) delivered a presentation titled "The 'Spaghetti Bowl Effect' on Digital Trade Rules and Digital Trade Effects: Robust Estimates Based on Overlapping DID". Professor Lu's research focused on digital trade rules and was based on WTO e-commerce negotiations. He re-examined the core rules of digital trade, constructed a gravity model, and used an overlapping DID approach to assess the impact of RTAs (Regional Trade Agreements) covering core digital trade rules on the export of digital services between 2005 and 2019. The research further analyzed the effects of deepening core digital trade rules on digital services trade. 

Professor Wang Yongjin (School of Economics, Nankai University) gave a presentation titled "The Mystery of Distance: A Perspective Based on Consumer Search". In his introduction, Professor Wang raised questions about the gravity model and explored the comprehensive and significant influence of the digital economy. His research found that the reduction in information costs has a substantial impact on the elasticity of geographical distance, and he emphasized that the effects of the digital economy on geographical distance require further exploration.

Professor Li Jie (Vice Dean of the Industrial Research Institute, Jinan University) presented on the topic "Decomposing China’s Bilateral Export Growth: A Firm-Regional-Transactions Structural Gravity Approach." His research, from the perspective of trade economics, revealed the heterogeneity of four fundamental characteristics across Chinese regions: product quality, firm productivity, local factor costs, and market viability. The study demonstrated that heterogeneity in these factors leads to unequal participation in exports across Chinese counties and found that both variable and fixed potential market costs influence regional export performance. 

Professor Liu Qiren (School of Economics and Statistics, Guangzhou University) presented "High-Tech Product Demand and Firms’ Innovation Incentives." The study is based on the rising trend of the global proportion of low-tech product exports from developing countries such as Viet Nam and India, and the divergence of the growth of China's external demand for high-tech products.The study examined whether shifts in export structures are related to patent innovation, particularly whether the growing demand for high-tech products can drive substantial innovation. 

Forum for Young Experts (Session II) was chaired by Professor He Huanlang, Dean of the School of International Economics and Trade at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics and Deputy Secretary-General of the Young Scholars Forum. The discussants were Professor Huang Yangping, Dean of the School of Finance and Economics at Jimei University, and Professor He Lingyun, Vice Dean of the School of Economics at Jinan University. Four papers were also presented in this session.

Professor Duan Yuwan (Vice Dean of the School of International Economics and Trade, Central University of Finance and Economics) delivered a presentation titled "Welfare and Emission Effects of New Energy Power Construction—A Study Based on Quantitative Spatial Models." Professor Duan developed a new multi-region, multi-industry spatial general equilibrium model that incorporates China's domestic production networks, labor migration, electricity production and trade, fossil energy production and trade, and carbon emissions.

Professor Che Yi (School of Business, East China University of Science and Technology) presented "Pains or Gains: Trade War and Tariff Evasion," which studied how the U.S. market responded to the impact of the trade war, exploring how the demand in destination countries affects tariff evasion. Using a DID model and visual phenomenon analysis, the research concluded that the trade war facilitated tariff evasion for Chinese products entering the U.S., with evasion influenced by port demand in the destination country. 

Professor Jiang Wei (Vice Dean of the School of International Business, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics) delivered a presentation titled "Digital-Real Industry Integration, Supply Chain Efficiency Optimization, and Export Growth." The study analyzed the impact of digital-real industry integration on China’s export growth and how optimizing supply chain efficiency promotes high-quality growth. The research found that digital-real industry integration reduces the cost of sourcing intermediate goods for firms and improves the quality of those goods, jointly driving export growth through cost optimization and quality enhancement.

V. Forum for Young Scholars

Forum for Young Scholars (Session I) was chaired by Professor Li Dan, Vice Dean of the School of Finance and Trade at Liaoning University, with commentary provided by Professor Zhang Shaojun from the School of Economics at Xiamen University and Deputy Secretary-General of the Young Scholars Forum, and Professor Jiang Wei, Vice Dean of the School of International Business at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics and Deputy Secretary-General of the Young Scholars Forum. Four papers were presented during this session.

Associate Professor Tian Yunhua (Head of the Department of International Trade, School of Economics and Trade, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies) presented a paper titled "The Impact of Foreign Supplier Power on China’s Import Non-Tariff Measures". The study extended the analysis of factors influencing trade policy formulation in developing countries by focusing on import non-tariff measures. The research enriched the understanding of how foreign supplier power affects the formulation of import policies in China, finding a U-shaped relationship between foreign supplier power and China’s import non-tariff measures, providing new theoretical support for China's policy-making.

Associate Professor Du Mingwei (School of International Economics and Politics, Liaoning University) presented "Strengthening Trade through Digital Governance: The Role of Digital Government Construction in Upgrading China’s Export Product Quality." The study empirically examined the impact and mechanisms of digital government construction on the quality of export products at the city-product level. The research demonstrated that digital government initiatives effectively promote the upgrading of export product quality in Chinese cities by reducing information costs, driving urban innovation, and optimizing resource allocation. 

Assistant Professor Xu Xiaocong (School of Business, Nanjing University) presented "Estimating the Pro-Competitive Effect and Variety Gains Using Firm-Level Data." The research developed a theoretical model to estimate the impact of domestic and international trade on consumer welfare using firm-level data. Utilizing the China Industrial Enterprise Database and China Customs Import and Export Statistics Database from 2000 to 2013, the study estimated the pro-competitive and variety effects of trade on consumer welfare. Associate Researcher Fan Sicong (Institute of International Affairs, Wuhan University) presented "Analyzing the Military Motivation behind U.S. Chip Export Control Policies." The study constructed three analytical frameworks: first, a policy analysis across the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations; second, an analysis from an international relations perspective; and third, an examination of how the U.S. has restructured the global chip supply chain. The research discussed the sanctions imposed by the Trump and Biden administrations on China and outlined the characteristics of U.S. policy toward China, proposing potential responses.

Forum for Young Scholars (Session II) was chaired by Associate Professor Lan Tian, Vice Dean of the Northeast Asia Economic Research Institute at Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, with commentary provided by Professor Zhang Shaojun from Xiamen University and Associate Professor Fu Dahai from the School of International Economics and Trade at Central University of Finance and Economics, both of whom are Deputy Secretary-Generals of the Young Scholars Forum. Four papers were also presented in this session.

Lecturer Lin Xi (School of Economics and Statistics, Guangzhou University) presented a paper titled "Does the 'Dual Circulation' Strategy Promote Green Development? A Perspective from the Reorientation of Export to Domestic Sales by Chinese Industrial Firms." Comparing existing literature, Lin found that few studies have examined the environmental issues under the "dual circulation" development framework from a firm-level perspective. Using inverse probability weighting (IPW) as the base matching framework and propensity score matching (PSM) for sensitivity analysis, combined with a difference-in-differences (DID) design, the study revealed the mechanisms through which reorienting exports to domestic sales affects firms’ pollution emissions, focusing on both internal and external channels.

Associate Professor Lou Chunjie (School of Economics, Henan University) presented a paper titled "The Middle-Income Group and Import Trade." Against the backdrop of expanding imports and high-level opening-up, this study used micro-level data to empirically investigate the relationship between the middle-income group and import trade, constructing a new perspective for measuring China's middle-income group. The research found that the middle-income group positively impacts import trade through consumption and innovation channels, with further analysis indicating that the impact varies across different types of imported goods. 

VI. PhD Forum

On June 9, the main PhD Forum was held, comprising eight parallel sessions. PhD and master's students from various regions and universities continued to engage in lively and in-depth academic discussions around the theme of “Expanding High-Level Opening-Up in the New Global Environment.”

Forum One was chaired by Professor Xu Yueli, Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Professor Li Jie, Vice Dean of the Industrial Economics Research Institute at Jinan University, and Lecturer Li Jiancheng from the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies served as the discussants. Presentations were delivered by PhD student Ma Mengjuan from Northwest University, PhD student Yang Yang from Zhejiang University, and PhD student Fang Mingpeng from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law.

Forum Two was chaired by Professor Xiao Kuixi from the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. The discussants were Professor Li Jie from Jinan University and Lecturer Li Jiancheng from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Presentations were made by PhD student Wang Tianyu from Nankai University, master's student Li Yujie from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and master's student Zhou Yongchen from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.

Forum Three was chaired by Professor Yu Meici from the School of Economics and Management at South China Agricultural University. Associate Professor Du Mingwei from the School of International Economics and Politics at Liaoning University and Lecturer Dong Jiemiao from the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies served as discussants. Presentations were delivered by PhD student Liu Haiyan from Wuhan University, PhD student Luo Xuan from China Agricultural University, PhD student Ma Huilian from Harbin University of Commerce, and PhD student Huang Xiaomin from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.

Forum Four was chaired by Lecturer Lou Chunjie from the School of Economics at Henan University. Associate Professor Chen Huanqi from the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Lecturer Lin Xi from the School of Economics and Statistics at Guangzhou University served as discussants. Presentations were made by master's student Cai Meng from the School of Finance and Trade at Liaoning University, PhD student Peng Zheng from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and master's student Zheng Han from Gansu University of Political Science and Law.

Forum Five was chaired by Associate Professor Guan Huaping from the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Professor Liang Junwei from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Professor Jiang Genghua from the School of Economics and Management at Shanxi University served as discussants. Presentations were delivered by PhD student Qin Ning from Jinan University, PhD student Chen Xianmeng from Xiamen University, PhD student Liu Ziwei from Jilin University, and master's student Wang Pan from Hebei University.

Forum Six was chaired by Professor Liang Junwei from the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Professor Che Yi from the School of Business at East China University of Science and Technology and Lecturer Chen Jin from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies served as discussants. Presentations were made by PhD student Peng Siyi from Hunan University, PhD student Ding Guoning from Capital University of Economics and Business, PhD student Li Wei from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and master's student Li Ziling from South China Agricultural University.

Forum Seven was chaired by Associate Professor Tian Yunhua from the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Professor Liu Qiren from the School of Economics and Statistics at Guangzhou University and Lecturer Chen Jin from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies served as discussants. Presentations were delivered by PhD student Chen Xin from the University of International Business and Economics, PhD student Chen Yanan from Tongji University, and master's student Miao Xinyue from Beijing University of Technology.

Forum Eight was chaired by Professor Xu Yueli, Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Trade at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Professor Liu Qiren from Guangzhou University and Lecturer Dong Jiemiao from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies served as discussants. Presentations were made by PhD student Wang Xinrui from Capital University of Economics and Business, master's student Liao Xiaoxuan from Renmin University of China, master's student Wu Yongxin from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and master's student Wu Yanfang from Hainan University.

This conference featured a series of insightful presentations and deep discussions, showcasing the latest research results and academic perspectives in the field of international trade. Experts and scholars shared their research experiences and practical insights around the theme of expanding high-level opening-up in the new global environment, providing valuable theoretical and empirical support for the high-quality development of China’s international trade. The conference concluded with warm applause, and participants expressed that they greatly benefited from the discussions, leaving them with confidence and anticipation for future research.

Link to the official WeChat account is provided: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/1t1uVYiw09y9DXS3jqQCbQ