May 17th to 18th, 2025, the semifinal of the 5th MIB International Business Negotiation Competition was successfully held in Shanghai. A student team from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL), composed of master’s students from the 2024 cohort of International Business and International Trade programs—Tang Mengqing, Jiang Tiantian, Lin Yanshan, Liu Xinyi, Mo Caiyan, Wen Yiran, Hong Ting, Zhou Hui, Li Xinying, and Feng Xinyu—won the Third Prize under the joint guidance of Associate Professor Liu Kai and Professor Cao Liang from the School of Business Administration (SBA).
Since the announcement of the semifinalist list in April 2025, the team, led by their instructors, engaged in extensive preparations including data collection and multiple rounds of mock negotiation drills. Anticipating various possible scenarios, the students honed their skills in strategy, professionalism, and etiquette. Their instructors provided hands-on coaching throughout the process and offered strategic advice on site, instilling confidence in the team.
The competition attracted 68 teams from 46 universities across China, including China University of Political Science and Law and Jinan University. The organizing committee upheld the principles of fairness, impartiality, and professionalism by implementing three rounds of anonymous written reviews and expert assessments. Eventually, 24 teams advanced to the final competition held at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (Songjiang Campus). Each team participated in preliminary rounds as either Party A or Party B and conducted simulated international business negotiations on topics such as cross-border cooperation. Final scores were determined by a panel of on-site expert judges.
Supported by ZUEL and meticulously guided by the SBA, the team demonstrated composure, professionalism, and flexible application of negotiation strategies throughout the competition. Their careful logical thinking and solid academic foundation allowed them to engage in compelling rounds of negotiation, showcasing the vitality and expertise of SBA students on a national stage. Their outstanding performance exemplified the strength of ZUEL’s professional education and the vibrant spirit of its youth.
The achievement also highlights the SBA’s commitment to integrating competition-based learning and industry-academia collaboration in postgraduate education, promoting the development of interdisciplinary talent and advancing the high-quality growth of its graduate programs.
