On May 16, 2026, the "The Third Meeting of the Third Expert Committee of the China Frontier Economic Research Institute and the Frontier Economic University Think Tank Alliance Conference", co-organized by Guangxi University, the China-ASEAN School of Economics / School of Economics / China-ASEAN Institute of Financial Cooperation School, and Guangxi University China Frontier Economic Research Institute, was successfully held in Beijing. The conference brought together leading scholars and experts in borderland economic studies from across China to explore how the Think Tank Alliance could better leverage its collective strengths and contribute intellectual support to the high-quality development of China’s frontier regions during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period. Qian Keming, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Education, Science, Health, and Sports; Wang Naixue, Vice Chairman and Party Group Member of the CPPCC Guangxi Committee; and Xiao Jianzhuang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Guangxi University, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony was chaired by Wang Xianggao, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, Vice President, and Head of the Party Committee Organization Department of Guangxi University.

Wang Xianggao, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, Vice President, and Head of the Party Committee Organization Department of Guangxi University, chaired the opening ceremony

In his speech, Qian Keming pointed out that the friontier economic holds a strategically important position in the great cause of building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation. Accelerating the development of frontier economies is of great significance for expanding strategic depth, narrowing regional disparities, and fostering a favorable surrounding environment. He emphasized the need to continuously advance the development of an independent knowledge system in frontier economics, actively align with major national strategies and the practical needs of frontier regions, maintain a strong problem-oriented approach and field investigations, and produce high-quality think tank outcomes that are original, forward-looking, and actionable. He fully acknowledged the positive achievements of Guangxi University China Frontier Economic Research Institute under the leadership of Director Li Guanghui, and encouraged the continued deep integration of theoretical research and policy consultation, a clear service orientation, and collaboration among all parties to build a solid academic foundation for frontier economic research.

Qian Keming, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Education, Science, Health, and Sports, delivered a speech

Wang Naixue noted that Guangxi possesses unique geographical advantages, including its proximity to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port, as well as its strategic role within the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the Pinglu Canal initiative, while also serving as China’ s frontier for opening up to ASEAN. He emphasised that transforming these advantages into tangible development outcomes requires strong theoretical research and robust think tank support. He expressed hope that experts and scholars would contribute pragmatic policy suggestions from a strategic perspective, that Guangxi University would fully leverage its disciplinary strengths to build a highland for frontier economic research, and that the Frontier Institute would further play its role as a think tank platform and academic bridge to jointly promote the establishment of an independent knowledge system in frontier economics.

Wang Naixue, Vice Chairman and Party Group Member of the CPPCC Guangxi Committee, delivered a speech

In his online address, Xiao Jianzhuang extended a warm welcome and sincere thanks to the attending leaders and experts. He fully affirmed the fruitful achievements of the Frontier Institute since its establishment in academic research, project undertaking, policy advisory services, and platform construction. He particularly noted that the Frontier Institute, guided by the "Ten Ones" construction system, has made comprehensive efforts in building one team, one discipline, one set of textbooks, one forum, one annual report, one specialized committee of an academic society, one big database, one alliance, one journal, and one base, thereby establishing a distinctive and well-supported frontier economic research system. He emphasized that the university will continue to increase support, fully promoting the quality upgrade of the Frontier Institute in team building, platform development, and outcome transformation, with a focus on advancing the independent knowledge system of frontier economics and building a high-level think tank for frontier economics research, thereby achieving a dual enhancement in the Institute's development level and core influence. He hoped that the Frontier Institute would further deepen organized research, closely align with Guangxi's development needs, continuously produce high-quality outcomes with theoretical depth, policy weight, and actionable insights for decision-making, and use frontier economics research as a lever to promote the overall development of regional studies and humanities and social sciences, further enhancing the university's distinctive educational characteristics.

Xiao Jianzhuang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Guangxi University, delivers a video speech

The keynote report and work report session was chaired by Wang Xuekun, President and Party Secretary of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce. Zhang Yujie, Supervision Expert of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), delivered a keynote report titled "Leading the Construction of a Community with a Shared Future in the Neighborhood through Frontier Economic Development," elaborating on the practical path of promoting high-quality frontier development through high-level opening-up, thereby radiating and leading the construction of a community with a shared future in the neighborhood. Li Guanghui, Dean of the Guangxi University China Frontier Economic Research Institute, Vice President of the China Association of International Economic Cooperation and Director of the Frontier Economic Specialized Committee, presented the 2025 work summary and 2026 work plan of the China Frontier Economic Research Institute. He comprehensively reviewed the Institute's annual progress in academic research, think tank consulting, and platform construction, including the continuous output of high-quality papers and policy advisory reports, successful application for national key research projects, smooth release of the annual report, significant enhancement of the Frontier Forum brand influence, and completion of household micro-data surveys covering seven major frontier provinces and regions. He stated that in 2026, the Frontier Institute will continue to take the "Ten Ones" construction system as the overarching approach, coordinating the advancement of core tasks such as discipline building, team cultivation, outcome production, and platform development, thereby comprehensively enhancing the comprehensive strength and influence of friontier economic research, and providing solid theoretical support and think tank backing for the high-quality development of frontier regions in the new era.

Wang Xuekun, President and Party Secretary of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce, chaired the sessions of keynote speeches and work reports

Zhang Yujie, Supervision Expert of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), delivered a keynote report

Li Guanghui, Dean of the China Frontier Economic Research Institute, delivered a work report

The subsequent third meeting of the third Expert Committee was chaired by Yu Xiaofeng, Former Chairman and Party Leadership Group Secretary of the CPPCC Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefectural Committee, Jilin Province. Attending expert committee members offered suggestions and advice on key issues such as discipline construction, project planning, think tank services, cross-regional coordination, and talent cultivation, providing valuable input for the high-quality development of the China Frontier Economic Research Institute.

Yu Xiaofeng, Former Chairman and Party Leadership Group Secretary of the CPPCC Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefectural Committee, chaired the third meeting of the third Expert Committee

In the afternoon, the Frontier Economic University Think Tank Alliance Workshop was chaired by Zhang Zhiming, Vice President of Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics. Cui Riming, Vice Chairman of the Economics and Trade Teaching Steering Committee of the Ministry of Education, member of the National Steering Committee for Master's Degree in International Business, and head of the Ministry of Education's Center for Regional and Country Studies (Russian and Mongolian Studies Center), delivered an opening speech. Li Xiangrong, Secretary-General of the Frontier Economic University Think Tank Alliance, presented the alliance's 2025 work summary and 2026 work plan.

Workshop of the Frontier Economic University Think Tank Alliance

Zhang Zhiming, Vice President of Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics, chaired the Workshop of the Frontier Economic University Think Tank Alliance

Prof. Cui Riming delivered an opening speech

Li Xiangrong, Secretary-General of the Frontier Economic University Think Tank Alliance, delivered a work report

Subsequently, the conference moved to thematic report sessions. An Guoshan, Member of the CPPCC Yanbian Prefectural Committee and Executive Dean of the Frontier (Vitalizing Border Areas and Enriching the People) Research Institute of Yanbian University; Li Jiguang, Deputy Dean of the School of Economics, University of International Business and Economics; and Liang Shuhong, Deputy Dean of Guangxi University China Frontier Economic Research Institute, delivered thematic reports on the "China Frontier Economic Opening and Development Forum," the "Annual Report on China's Frontier Economic Opening and Development," and the "Big Database of Frontier Economics," respectively. All participants engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges on the above specialized work, unanimously agreeing that the synergistic effect of the Frontier Economic University Think Tank Alliance should be fully utilized to promote joint research, collaborative problem-solving, and outcome sharing, playing a greater role in constructing China's independent knowledge system of frontier economics, and collectively enhancing the overall level and social influence of frontier economic research in China.

An Guoshan, Member of the CPPCC Yanbian Prefectural Committee and Executive Dean of the Frontier (Vitalizing Border Areas and Enriching the People) Research Institute of Yanbian University, delivered a work report

Li Jiguang, Deputy Dean of the School of Economics, University of International Business and Economics, delivered a work report

Liang Shuhong, Deputy Dean of Guangxi University China Frontier Economic Research Institute, delivered a work report

The conference attracted experts and scholars from across the country to discuss new patterns and trends in frontier economic development and offer advice for the economic prosperity of frontier regions. More than 50 leaders and experts from Ministry of Commerce, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences,  Development Research Center of the State Council, Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), Guangxi University, University of International Business and Economics, Yunnan University, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics, Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics, Jilin Business and Technology College, and relevant units from frontier provinces and regions attended the conference.

Source: Tang Yushuang, Lin Yiling

Translated by AI

Proofread by Yu Na, Fan Shi Qiongxiang  

Edited by Gan Ziying

Reviewed by Gong Zheng