To promote disciplinary development, academic exchanges, strengthen communication with authors and readers, and support academic innovation at WTO Chair at UIBE, the Academic Journals Department has continuously organized the "Focus on Disciplinary Frontiers, Lead Academic Development" Expert Lecture Series.

On May 15, 2025, the 12th lecture—"Introduction to the Journal of WTO and China and 2025 Focus Areas"—was successfully held. Delivered by Prof. Tu Xinquan, Dean of The China Institute of WTO studies (CIWTO) of the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), Beijing (CIWTO of UIBE) and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of WTO and China, the lecture was hosted by Prof. Hua Ying, Director of the Academic Journals Department. Broadcast live via the university's official WeChat Channel, the online lecture attracted over 1,700 participants and was highly praised by scholars and students.

Prof. Tu Xinquan elaborated on the development history of the Journal of WTO and China since its founding, the evolution of the WTO over its 30 years of establishment, as well as the challenges facing the WTO and the shifting directions of WTO-related research. He pointed out that the WTO is confronting the most severe challenges from U.S. unilateralism, and the world trade order is undergoing systematic restructuring. Prof. Tu emphasized that WTO-related research requires a broader historical perspective, viewing the trend of the trade order from a macro-historical angle. He noted that the focus of WTO-related economic research should shift from demonstrating the creation of trade liberalization benefits to analyzing the distribution of such benefits and the harm of trade protection. Subsequently, he introduced the key focus areas of the journal for 2025.

Associate Senior Editor Li Shuling, Director of the Editorial Department, hosted the Q&A session. Prof. Tu Xinquan exchanged views with participants on topics such as the direction of China-U.S. trade negotiations and topic recommendations. Finally, Cai Yinghui, Deputy Director of the Academic Journals Department, delivered a concluding speech and expressed gratitude to Prof. Tu for his insightful sharing.

In the future, the Academic Journals Department will continue to organize the lecture series, striving to develop the Expert Lecture Series into a brand academic event, continuously enhance the influence of academic journals at WTO Chair at UIBE, and give full play to their role in academic leadership. This lecture received strong support from the Publicity Department of the Party Committee of UIBE.