On October 17, Xi’an hosted the 2nd Seminar on Disciplinary Development and Think Tank Construction for Regional and Country Studies. Co-hosted by the Disciplinary Advisory Group under the State Council Academic Degrees Committee and Northwest University, the event gathered over 120 officials, experts, and scholars to discuss advancements in the field.

The seminar focused on disciplinary building, think tank development, talent cultivation, and international communication, aiming to align with national strategies. Han Zhibin, vice-president of Northwest University, presided over the opening ceremony. Key speakers included Sun Qingwei, president of Northwest University, and Sui Xiaofei, vice-president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies.

Sun Qingwei emphasized the strategic importance of regional and country studies in serving national development, noting Northwest University's commitment to integrating academic research with national needs. Sui Xiaofei highlighted the discipline's role in shaping China's global discourse and stressed the necessity of building an independent knowledge system.

Yao Hongjuan, from the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee, discussed Shaanxi’s achievements as a regional opening hub, while Gao Baorong from the Shaanxi Office for Philosophy and Social Sciences praised the integrated model of discipline construction at Northwest University.

The seminar featured five thematic sessions where 36 scholars shared insights on building an independent knowledge system, think tank operations, and industry-university-research integration. Peking University’s Qian Chengdan and CASS researcher Xing Guangcheng emphasized the importance of field-based research and a diversified framework.

Participants agreed on breaking interdisciplinary barriers and institutionalizing the seminar platform to accelerate the development of China’s regional and country studies system. The seminar concluded with Han Zhibin highlighting three breakthroughs: effective knowledge output, knowledge infrastructure development, and a growing young academic community. These discussions aim to refine disciplinary characteristics and better serve national strategic needs.