Area Studies is a peer-reviewed comprehensive academic journal founded by Tsinghua University’s Institute for International and Area Studies and published by The Commercial Press. It has two issues per year. The journal aims to serve the development of Area Studies as a first-level discipline in China and is aimed at providing a high-caliber exchange platform for scholars engaged in areas studies to discuss related research subjects, topics, theories, and methods while promoting new knowledge via specific topics and themes.

The journal has four sections: Feature Topics, History & Geography, Field Research, and Reviews & Critiques. The Feature Topics section explores common issues in Area Studies through research papers that are transnational and interdisciplinary and revolve around specific topics and themes. The History & Geography section focuses on the elements of time and space in Area Studies in both breadth and depth. The Field Research section looks at the empirical side of Area Studies, such as field research methodology, theory, reflection, and practice. The Reviews & Critiques section is a platform on which academics may debate topics by discussing and critiquing viewpoints, methods, or theories in the format of a commentary, book review, etc.