The distinction recognizes economists with an outstanding international reputation. CEPR currently has 35 Distinguished Fellows, including several Nobel laureates in economics and chief economists of international organizations. Professor Bai is the only Chinese scholar among them. The nomination is effective from November 1 for a period of six years.

The Lord Browne of Madingley, a member of the Tsinghua SEM Advisory Board, vice chairman of General Atlantic, co-founder of BeyondNetZero and former group chief executive of BP, delivered a keynote lecture titled "From Energy Giant to Climate Investor: Entrepreneurship in the Energy Transition."

Marjorie Yang, a member of the Advisory Board of the Tsinghua SEM and chairman of Esquel Group, delivered a guest lecture under the theme "Leadership Under Fire: Tough Calls in Reform," before engaging undergraduate, master's and doctoral students in sharing and dialogue.