From October 23 to 24, the 25th National Annual Conference on Regional Economics Discipline Development and the Symposium on the Development of Regional Economics in the Digital and Intelligent Era were held at Sichuan University. The event was jointly hosted by the Institute of Regional and Urban Economics at Renmin University of China, the Institute of Urban and Regional Economics at Nankai University, and the School of Economics at Lanzhou University, and organized by the School of Economics at Sichuan University. CESD’s regional economics delegation comprised Professors Liu Binglian, Li Lanbing, and Zhou Mi, Associate Professor Zhang Zhiqiang, and Assistant Professor Guo Jiahong.

Dean Professor Liu Binglian delivered remarks on behalf of the hosts and chaired the first keynote session. Reviewing the history of the annual conference, he emphasized the urgent need for regional economics to address major national strategic priorities, adapt actively to digital and intelligent transformation, and focus on practical issues in China’s regional development. He called for constructive interaction among theoretical innovation, practical applications, and policy research to accelerate the development of an independent knowledge system of Chinese regional economics.

Professor Li Lanbing delivered a keynote address entitled ‘Reflections on the Development of Regional Economics.’ In the context of building a leading country in education, she emphasized that disciplinary development should be guided by national strategic needs. She called for stronger interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of digital and intelligent technologies, balanced attention to original academic contributions and policy support, improved mechanisms for collaborative talent development, and further progress toward an independent knowledge system.

Professor Zhou Mi participated in the roundtable on ‘New Stages, New Paradigms, and New Prospects for Regional Economics in the Digital and Intelligent Era,’ contributing to in-depth discussions. Associate Professor Zhang Zhiqiang and Assistant Professor Guo Jiahong served as invited discussants in parallel sessions.

Launched in 2002 through the joint initiative of Nankai University, Renmin University of China, and Lanzhou University, the National Annual Conference on Regional Economics Discipline Development has now been held 25 times.