Recently, the 4^th round of China Discipline Ranking (CDR) was officially launched. Among its new index system, the setup of Class A journal index in humanities & social sciences drew the most attention. The accreditation process for Class A journal consists of the preliminary selection by major data companies like Thomson Reuters, Elsevier, CNKI and CSSCI, the voting from domestic doctoral advisors and the acknowledgment by professional penalties from the Office of the State Council Academic Degrees Committee. 23 humanity & social science disciplines including philosophy, theoretical economics, applied economics and law were included in the Class A journal list by China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC).

According to the statistical caliber of this round of CDR, ZUIHAODAXUE.com (best university) issued the number of theses published in international Class A journals by Chinese higher learning institutes from 2012 to 2015 (The statistic types covered article, review and letter). CUEB boasts 15 such theses in economics including theoretical economics (0201) and applied economics (0202), ranking 5^th nationally and 114^th internationally.

The Index System and Explanations of the 4^th Round of China Discipline Ranking by CDGDC proposes that the CDR should draw on effective experience from international discipline ranking practices and catalyze the publication of quality theses. The establishment of Class A journal system marks a shift in focus to research quality of humanities & social sciences during the CDR.