On the eve of the opening of the 7th China International Import Expo, East China University of Science and Technology hosted the 2024 International Import Trade Forum. Over 300 experts and scholars from the Chinese government, international organizations, academia, and industry participated in the forum, including former Vice Minister of Commerce and former Chinese Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization, former Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization Yi Xiaozhun, former Chief Economist of the World Trade Organization Robert Koopman, senior expert of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Liang Guoyong, former Vice President of University of International Business and Economics Lin Guijun, and Deputy Director of the Social Science Research Office of Fudan University Luo Changyuan. The Chair of the University Council, Prof. Jiang Chuanhai delivered a speech. The opening ceremony was presided over by Prof. Yan Haifeng, a member of the Standing Committee of the University Council and Vice President of the University.

Jiang Chuanhai pointed out that openness is a distinct identifier of Chinese-style modernization. On the new journey of building a strong educational nation, serving the high-quality development of the economy and society with a larger pattern, a broader vision, and more wisdom, and promoting the construction of an open world economy is our responsibility in the new era. He stated that in recent years, the school has been continuously deepening educational cooperation with world-class universities, actively carrying out international joint education, and has made certain progress in international cooperation and exchange, providing a solid foundation for promoting high-level opening up and empowering the construction of an open world economy. He hopes that taking this forum as an opportunity, together with all sectors of society, we can join hands and make progress, cultivate compound innovative talents with an international perspective, and make new contributions to promoting the recovery of the world economy and the prosperity of global development!

Yi Xiaozhun elaborated on the institutional support role of the multilateral trading system for economic globalization. Against the backdrop of the slowdown in the WTO trade liberalization process, China must continue to adhere to a high level of opening up to the outside world and seize the advantages in future industrial chains and international market competition. Lin Guijun emphasized the mutual promotion of a complete industrial system and imports, calling for the construction of a complete industrial system adapted to the characteristics of the domestic economy. Robert Koopman delivered an online speech on the topic of "Major Strategic Developments in the Global Market," using the U.S. presidential election and European integration as examples to propose a rational view of the current uncertainties in macroeconomic activities. Liang Guoyong discussed the new development pattern of China's economy from four perspectives: the multiple transformations of the economy, the digital and intelligent transformation of China's economy, the concept, trends, and rule-setting of digital trade, and the new pattern of opening up and sustainable development. Luo Changyuan focused on the U.S. export control policy in the semiconductor industry and its impact on the technological supply cut for Chinese enterprises, proposing to strengthen the resilience of China's supply chain and enhance the capacity for domestic support.

The following round-table forum, themed "Improving the System and Mechanism of High-Level Opening Up," was chaired by Prof. Fan Tijun, Dean of the Business School at East China University of Science and Technology. Nie Yongyou, Professor at Shanghai University, former Executive Dean of the School of Economics, and member of the National Steering Committee for International Business Professional Degree Graduate Education; Yu Jinping, Professor at Nanjing University, Deputy Dean of the Business School, and member of the Economic and Trade Education Guidance Committee of the Ministry of Education; Qian Xuefeng, Professor at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Minister of Academic Affairs, and Young Scholar of the National Major Talents Program of the Ministry of Education; Huang Xinfei, Professor at Sun Yat-sen University, Dean of the International Finance School, and Young Scholar of the National Major Talents Program of the Ministry of Education; Tu Xinquan, Professor at the University of International Business and Economics, Dean of the China WTO Research Institute, and host of the WTO Chair Program, respectively, engaged in a lively and in-depth discussion on cutting-edge and hot topics such as "Constructing a New System of High-Level Opening Up," "Revitalizing the International Influence of the Shanghai Import Expo," "Import of High-Tech Products," and "Reducing External Dependence."

As an important component of this forum, the thematic discussion session is divided into four major themes: "Service Trade and Import & Export," "International Trade Paper Writing and Publication," "Corporate Innovation and Green Transformation," and "International Trade and Regional Development." Renowned scholars and students from dozens of universities and research institutes come together to discuss hot topics such as service trade, trade barriers, and corporate green transformation.

The "Service Trade and Import & Export" seminar was chaired by Che Yi, a distinguished researcher at East China University of Science and Technology. Mao Qilin, a professor at Nankai University and a national leader in philosophy and social sciences, Zhang Penglong, an associate professor at Tsinghua University, and scholars from universities such as Zhongnan University of Economics and Law and Central University of Finance and Economics shared new thoughts and viewpoints in their respective research fields.

The "International Trade Paper Writing and Publication" seminar was chaired by Dong Yinguo, a professor at the Business School of East China University of Science and Technology. Li Yifei, Deputy Director of the Editorial Department of "Management World," Liu Xiaolei, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of "Economics (Quarterly)" and a Boya Distinguished Professor at Peking University, Qiu Guojing, Deputy Director of the Editorial Department of "Economic Research," and Wang Dihai, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of "World Economic Review" and a professor at Fudan University, and other experts and scholars exchanged ideas and provided guidance on paper writing and publication in the field of trade.

The "Corporate Innovation and Green Transformation" seminar was chaired by Xie Guo'e, an associate professor at the Business School of East China University of Science and Technology. Duan Yuwan, Deputy Dean of the School of International Economics and Trade at Central University of Finance and Economics and a national young talent, and scholars from universities such as Fudan University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and Guangzhou University shared the latest academic research results.

The "International Trade and Regional Development" seminar was chaired by Peng Delei, a professor at East China University of Science and Technology and Dean of the Law School. Zhou Mao, a professor at Southwest University of Finance and Economics and a national young talent, and scholars from universities such as Central University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai International Studies University, and East China University of Science and Technology shared the latest academic research results.

Professor Hou Limin, Chair of the School Council, expressed in her closing remarks that to advance high-level opening up to the outside world, it is necessary to fully leverage the dual driving force of multilateral mechanisms and regional trade agreements, focus on building a global industrial and supply chain system, and accelerate the construction of a security barrier against risks. On behalf of the organizers, she stated that the School of Business and Law School of East China University of Science and Technology will continue to contribute their strength to serving the economic and social development of the region and the country.

This forum was hosted by East China University of Science and Technology, organized by the Business School and Law School, and co-organized by the Shanghai World Economics Society and the China World Trade Organization Research Institute at the University of International Business and Economics. The forum has been successfully held for seven sessions. As a platform for academic exchange and a bridge for international communication, the forum has provided valuable academic wisdom and intellectual support for the construction of a new system of a higher level of open economy, and has helped the Import Expo become a globally renowned economic and trade event.