In the run-up to the 70th anniversary of CUPL, the School of Juris Master held the International Conference of Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation from May 17 to 18, 2022, so as to further study and promote Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, delve into the goals and models for cultivating foreign-related legal talents and share relevant experiences in talents cultivation. According to the requirements of COVID-19 prevention and control, the conference took place online, with Chinese and English as the working languages.
More than 100 experts, scholars from renowned domestic and international universities, and representatives from legal practice entities attended the conference.
Prof. XU Shenjian, Dean of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, chaired the opening ceremony. Prof. MA Huaide, President of CUPL, and Prof. HAN Ki Jeong, Chairman of the Association of Korean Law Specialized University and Dean of the School of Law at Seoul National University, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony.
President MA Huaide, on behalf of the university, first congratulated the convening of the conference and extended a warm welcome to participants. He emphasized that advancing the rule of law in domestic and foreign-related affairs in a coordinated manner is one of the logical and fundamental aspects of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law. Nowadays, profound changes in the world unseen in a century and the epidemic situation are intertwined; economic globalization is facing headwinds; the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. As a responsible major country in the global community, China has the responsibility and obligation to actively participate in global governance, uphold the international order and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind for the welfare of all humanity. To fulfil international responsibilities and promote international exchanges and cooperation, it is an urgent task to cultivate a batch of foreign-related legal talents who possess an international perspective, understand international rules and excel in the laws of various countries. CUPL attaches great importance to foreign-related legal talents cultivation and has carried out a series of activities in this regard. The School of Juris Master has achieved good results in the selection and training of the first batch of foreign-related legal students, and the outcome is highly satisfactory. President MA stated that the International Conference of Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation is one of the important activities for the 70th anniversary of CUPL. The in-depth exchanges and discussions among experts and scholars would help optimize the institutional design of foreign-related legal talents cultivation in China and improve the education quality, which is conducive to the realization of foreign-related legal talents cultivation. He expressed his expectations that the meeting could yield fruitful outcomes and hoped that the School of Juris Master could apply the results of the conference to future talents cultivation for greater achievements.
HAN Ki Jeong said that, in the context of globalization, legal education is no longer confined to local or national levels and should be conducted at a global level. So, it is essential to cultivate foreign-related legal talents. To some extent, the pandemic has limited academic exchanges among countries, but the model of virtual meetings has created new possibilities for cross-border academic communication. HAN expressed that this conference provides an excellent opportunity for participants to share their experiences in legal education and talents cultivation. Through academic exchanges and collaborations, countries can have a better understanding of each other’s legal foundation and legal culture. He also expressed his hope for further academic exchanges and cooperation with CUPL after the pandemic.
The conference featured forums on the five topics of “Objectives and Positioning of Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”, “Models and Innovation in Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”, “Comparisons and References to Legal Education Internationalization”, “Education and Cultivation of Foreign-related Legal Graduate Students” and “Student Forum on Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”. Participants shared their perspectives on and insights into the objectives, models, and innovations related to foreign-related legal talents cultivation.
The First Forum on
“Objectives and Positioning of Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”
The forum was chaired by Prof. XU Shenjian, Dean of the School of Juris Master in CUPL.
Prof. HUANG Jin, Professor of the Academy for the Rule of Law at CUPL, President of the Chinese Society of International Law, and President of the China Society of Private International Law, Prof. Tra Pham, Associate Dean of Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University, Prof. LI Yan, Dean of the Graduate School at Southwest University of Political Science and Law, Prof. Julien Chaisse from the School of Law at City University of Hong Kong, Prof. FENG Guo, Dean of the School of Law at Wuhan University, and Prof. ZHANG Liang, Dean of the School of Law at Sun Yat-sen University delivered keynote speeches on such topics as “The Foreign-related Legal Talents We Need”, “Establishing Foundations for International Students in the Global Legal Job Market: The Moritz Experience”, “Exploration and Practice in Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation at Universities in Western China”, “Internationalization of Legal Education: Challenges, Objectives and Benefits”, “How to Cultivate Foreign-related Legal Talents with Global Competence”, “Considerations on Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation: What Can Law Schools Do?”. Following these speeches, Prof. KONG Qingjiang, Dean of the School of International Law at CUPL, made comments.
The Second Forum on
“Models and Innovation in Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”
The forum was presided over by Prof. HAN Wensheng, Chair of the Council of the School of Juris Master in CUPL.
Prof. FANG Quan, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Macau University of Science and Technology, Prof. ZHENG Shaohua, Vice President of Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, Prof. HONG Dongying, Director of the Academic Affairs Office at East China University of Political Science and Law, Prof. CHEN Baifeng, Dean of the Law School at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Prof. ZHOU Changjun, Dean of the School of Law at Shandong University, Associate Prof. GAO Simin, Associate Dean of the School of Law at Tsinghua University, and Prof. XIE Zhiyong, Director of the College of Comparative Law at China University of Political Science and Law, delivered keynote speeches on various topics, including “Models and Innovation in Cross-border Legal Talent Education”, “Creating an Integrated Two-Dimensional Model for Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation Using the China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation”, “Report on the Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation at East China University of Political Science and Law”, “Collaborative Educational Models for Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation through Sino-foreign Cooperation”, “Specialized Training of Foreign-related Legal Talents”, “Exploring a Multilevel System for Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation” and “Comparative Law and International Legal Talents Cultivation”. Prof. LIU Fei, Chinese Co-Dean of the China-EU School of Law at CUPL, made comments on these speeches.
The Third Forum on
“Comparisons and References to Legal Education Internationalization”
The forum was divided into two sessions. The first session was chaired by Prof. LIU Zhihui, Associate Dean of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, and Prof. WU Rihuan from the Civil, Commercial and Economic Law School, CUPL made comments.
The following speakers delivered keynote speeches: Prof. HAN Ki Jeong, Chairman of the Association of Korean Law Specialized University and Dean of the School of Law at Seoul National University, Prof. Joan Loughrey, Dean of the Law School at Queen’s University Belfast in the United Kingdom, Professor KONG Qingjiang, Dean of the School of International Law at CUPL, Prof. SHI Jingxia from the Law School at Renmin University of China and Prof. LU Chunlong, Executive Associate Dean of the Graduate School at CUPL. They discussed various topics, including “The Current Situation and Future of Law Schools in Korea”, “How to Study Anglo-Saxon (Common Law) Company Law: Reflections over the Past 20 Years”, “Exploration of Approaches to Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation in International Law”, “The Essentials of Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”, and “Managing the Three Relationships in Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”. Prof. WU Rihuan from the Civil, Commercial and Economic Law School at CUPL made comments.
The second session was chaired by Researcher LIANG Min, Associate Dean of the School of Juris Master in CUPL. Prof. LIU Zhihui, Associate Dean of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, made comments.
The following speakers delivered keynote speeches: Prof. WANG Zhiqiang, Dean of the Law School at Fudan University, Prof. MEI Xiaying, Dean of the School of Law at the University of International Business and Economics, Prof. GUO Lei, Secretary of the Party Committee and Associate Dean of the Law School at Peking University, Prof. CHEN Yunliang, Dean of the School of Law at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Prof. HE Zhipeng, Dean of the Law School at Jilin University, Prof. LIU Fei, Chinese Co-Dean of the China-EU School of Law at CUPL, and Prof. XU Shenjian, Dean of the School of Juris Master in CUPL. They discussed topics such as “Thoughts on Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”, “Dilemma and Solutions in Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”, “Challenges and Countermeasures in Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”, “Faculty Issues in Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”, “Exploring Collaborative Approaches to Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”, “The Model of China-EU School of Law in Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”, and “Exploring the Objectives and Best Practices in Cultivating Foreign-related Legal Master of Law. Prof. LIU Zhihui, Vice Dean of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, made comments.
After the conclusion of the three forums, Prof. WANG Jian, Vice President of Northwest University of Political Science and Law, delivered a summary speech.
He recapped the main points of the participants and noted their unanimous recognition of the necessity, importance and urgency of foreign-related legal talents cultivation. He also mentioned the research status that requires empirical or experimental observations and theoretical summary. Regarding the foreign-related legal talents cultivation, Prof. WANG Jian shared the following points. (1) Foreign-related legal talents represent an integral part of the talents cultivation system under socialism with Chinese characteristics. Therefore, they should grasp knowledge and theories of domestic law in a comprehensive and systematic way. (2) The connotation of “foreign” in foreign-related legal talents is multidimensional, with a particular focus on Western countries. (3) Diversified approaches to foreign-related legal talents cultivation should be developed. (4) The areas which foreign-related legal talents work on should align with the expansion of China’s overseas trade and extend to prospect countries and regions. Therefore, foreign language training is of great importance. (5) It is necessary to summarize and draw on valuable experiences in international legal talents cultivation since modern times. (6) Foreign-related legal talents cultivation is not merely an issue in legal education, but a systemic and comprehensive subject. It is a question of internationalization in Chinese legal education, fundamentally reflecting China’s integration into the world. Prof. WANG expressed his hope that future discussions on foreign-related legal talents cultivation would be enriched to be more representative across more countries. Additionally, he emphasized the need for further refinement of theoretical research and empirical verification of practices in reforming foreign-related legal education.
The Fourth Forum on
“Education and Cultivation of Foreign-related Legal Graduate Students”
Prof. XU Shenjian, Dean of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, chaired the opening ceremony of the forum.
Prof. CHANG Baoguo, Vice President of CUPL, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. By analyzing the latest data on international personnel mobility, transnational business activities, trade volume and the demand for the protection of the overseas citizen and national rights and interests, Prof. CHANG highlighted the importance and urgency of foreign-related legal talents cultivation. Currently, there is a significant shortage of foreign-related legal talents in China. So, it is crucial to cultivate high-calibre legal talents who understand China’s national conditions, have a global perspective, excel in foreign languages and international rules and master international negotiation skills. Due to the long training cycle, high costs and strong dependence on social collaboration, foreign-related legal talents cultivation cannot be achieved solely by universities themselves. The combination of various resources from international and domestic legal practice entities is required to facilitate the cultivation of legal talents. Prof. CHANG expressed his hope that the School of Juris Master would gather collective wisdom and further improve the talents cultivation model to enhance the education quality.
Tao Qian, Assistant to the Dean of the Graduate School of CUPL and Associate Professor of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, chaired the exchange session of the forum, which consisted of two parts.
In the first part, the following speakers delivered keynote speeches: Lawyer HAN Yinghui, Partner in the Beijing Chang Tsi & Partners and Vice President of Beijing Lawyers Association, Prof. LI Juqian, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange and Director of the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office at CUPL, Lawyer Wang Yang, Senior Partner of Beijing Guantao Law Firm and Vice President of Beijing Xicheng Lawyers Association, Prof. LIU Li, Vice Dean of the School of International Law at CUPL, and Associate Prof. QI Kai from the Globalization and Global Issues Institute, CUPL. Their topics included “Issues in Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation in Beijing”, “F.R.O. (Fact-Rule-Opinion): The Starting Point of Thinking in the Foreign-related Lawyers Cultivation”, “Experiences in and References to Different Modes of Foreign-Related Legal Talents Cultivation (in China, UK and US)”, “Working toward the Educational Goal of Cultivating Foreign-related Lawyers” and “Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation amid the Expansion of China’s Global Interest”. Lawyer LI Zhengning, Partner of Beijing Hylands Law Firm, and Dr. ZHANG Xian from the School of Juris Master in CUPL made comments.
In the second part, the following speakers delivered keynote speeches: Lawyer SONG Zhengping, Chairman of Partners’ Meeting at Jiangsu Yunya Law Firm and Vice President of Jiangsu Lawyers Association, General Manager LIU Zhen from the Legal Department of Xiaomi Corporation, Lawyer DONG Xiao, Partner at Junhe Beijing Office, Lawyer XU Yu, Director of the Management Committee at Hylands Law Firm, Lawyer LI Hairong, Equity Partner at Zhong Lun Law Firm. They focused on topics such as “Practical Perspectives on the Cultivation of Foreign-related Master Students”, “Demand for Corporate Law Talents amid Internationalization”, “Cultivating Foreign-related Legal Master Students with a Focus on Practical Abilities”, “The ‘Green Shoots Plan’ for Foreign-related Lawyers”, and “The Important Link in the Education of Foreign-related Legal Master Students: The Teaching of Foreign-related Legal Practices”. Lawyer AN Shouzhi, Executive Partner at Guantao Law Firm (Xiamen), and Prof. LIU Zhihui, Vice Dean of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, made comments.
The Fifth Forum on
“Student Forum on Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation”
The forum had three parallel sessions. Researcher LIANG Min, Vice Dean of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, presided over the opening ceremony of the forum and the main forum.
Prof. HAN Wensheng, Chair of the Council of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. He emphasized the importance of foreign-related legal talents cultivation, shared insights on the cultivation of talents in this area and expressed his expectations for students.
Following the opening ceremony, the forum proceeded to the parallel sessions.
The first session was chaired by Dr. PAN Wenbo from the School of Law at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Some students shared their insights into various topics, including TAN Sidi, a master student from the School of Law at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, SONG Juanwei, a master student from the School of International Law at East China University of Political Science and Law, LI Yaqiong, a master student from the School of Juris Master in CUPL, XIN Jie, a master student from the Law School at Peking University, YANG Yifei, a master student from the School of International Law at Southwest University of Political Science & Law, HUO Yudong, a master student from the Department of International Law and Business at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, and master students from the School of Juris Master in CUPL, like DU Yiwen, XU Yongqi and TAO Yiming. These topics included “Professional Skills Development for Foreign-related Legal Talents”, “How to Cultivate the Core Quality of Foreign-related Legal Professionals”, “Innovative Measures and Personal Recommendations for the Foreign-related Lawyer Training Program at the School of Juris Master in CUPL”, “The Compound Development of Foreign-related Legal Talents amid the Cultivation of ‘Foreign-related Lawyers’”, “Experiences in the Study of Foreign-related Law Major”, “My Journey to Becoming a Foreign-related Lawyer”, “Ensuring the Success of ‘Four Types of Talents’ in Foreign-related Legal Practice: Understanding and Prospects of the Foreign-related Lawyer Program”, “From the Classroom to the Workplace: Exploring and Striving in the Era”, and “Looking at the Stars while Staying Grounded: Cultivating Foreign-related Legal Talents”. SU Yu, Secretary of the Youth League Committee and Instructor of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, and Dr. YE Ningyao from the Economic Law Research Department of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, made comments.
The second session was hosted by Dr. DING Yaqi from the School of Juris Master in CUPL. The following students shared their thoughts: WANG Haonan, a master student from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, SHU Yunxiao, a master student from the School of Law, University of International Business and Economics, SUN Peirui, an undergraduate student from the Department of International Law and Business at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, LI Shasha, a master student from the School of Juris Master in CUPL, CHEN Jinxian, a doctoral student from the Law School at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, JIN Yanjia, a master student from the School of Juris Master in CUPL, YU Runtian, an undergraduate student from the Law School at Jilin University, WU Runzhi, a master student from the School of Law at Sun Yat-sen University, and SONG Xiao, a master student from the School of Juris Master in CUPL. Their topics included “Building a Solid Foundation in Foreign Languages to Enhance International Competence”, “My Story about International Organizations: My Experience and Reflections on the Distinctive Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation at UIBE”, “Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation: My Story of Participating in Moot Court Competitions”, “My Perspectives on Foreign-Related Legal Talents Cultivation: A Case Study of the Foreign-related Lawyer Program at CUPL”, “The Internationalization Path of Legal Majors: Practices and Insights”, “Suggestions for Cultivating Foreign-related Legal Talents and Building a Team of Legal Talents”, “Entering the Gateway of International Law after Decisions and Tests”, “Embracing Patriotism and Strengthening Legal Practices”, and “Learning Experiences and Reflections from the Foreign-related Legal Master Class”. Dr. SHI Yacong, Director of the Public Law Research Department at the School of Juris Master in CUPL, and Dr. CHEN Xi from the Private Law Research Department at the School of Juris Master in CUPL made comments on the students’ presentations.
The third session was hosted by Dr. ZHANG Ran from the School of Juris Master in CUPL. The following students shared their insights: ZHU Yue, a doctoral student from the School of International Law at East China University of Political Science and Law, LIU Lusheng, a master student from the China-EU School of Law at CUPL, GUO Peijun, a master student from the School of International Law at Southwest University of Political Science & Law, DU Boyang, a master student from the School of Law, University of International Business and Economics, WANG Lanzhou, a master student from the Law School at Jilin University, WANG Huaiyu, a master student from the School of Juris Master in CUPL, ZHAI Xiran, a master student from the School of Law at Sun Yat-sen University, ZHANG Qi, a master student from the School of Juris Master in CUPL, LI Qian, a master student from the from the School of Juris Master in CUPL, RAO Boning, a master student from the Law School of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law. Their topics included “The Training Path of Foreign-related Legal Talents: The Thinking and Methods behind Common Law”, “The Art of Persuasion: Lessons Learned from Moot Court Competitions”, “Sharing of Learning Experiences in the Foreign-related Talents Program”, “The International Moot Court Competition at UIBE”, “My First Year as a Foreign-related Lawyer”, “Reflection and Suggestions on the Foreign-related Lawyer Program”, “Making New Progress Every Day as a Foreign-related Lawyer”, “Growing Together with the Foreign-related Lawyer Program”, “My Experience in the Foreign-related Lawyer Class at CUPL: My Understanding of and Suggestions for Foreign-related Lawyer Training Program”, and Practices in Cultivating International Legal Talents in Sino-Italian Undergraduate Programs”. Dr. Wulan, Associate Director of the Private Law Research Department at the School of Juris Master in CUPL, and Dr. ZHANG Jiahua from the Practical Teaching Research Department at the School of Juris Master in CUPL made comments on the students’ presentations.
During the open discussion session, the attending students and teachers engaged in lively discussions on the current focuses of their studies, summer internships and legal clinics.
After that, students returned to the main venue of the student forum for reporting and communication. YANG Yifei from Southwest University of Political Science & Law, CHEN Jinxian from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, and ZHANG Qi from CUPL respectively reported on the discussions held in the first, second and third sessions.
In the closing session, Associate Researcher WAN Qing, Director of the Office of Professional Degree Programs of the Graduate School, Assistant to the Dean of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, delivered a concluding speech. WAN pointed out that the student forum was characterized by unique target audience, wide participation, diverse topics and professional exchanges, and expressed wishes for the students to become high-calibre, versatile, innovative and legal professionals with international prospectives, so as to meet the needs of the nation.
The closing ceremony took place after the student forum. Researcher LIANG Min, Vice Dean of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, presided over the ceremony.
Prof. SHI Jianzhong, Vice President of CUPL, delivered the closing speech. He fully affirmed the conference, stating that a successful conference requires a good theme, excellent participants and organizers. Hosted by the School of Juris Master in CUPL, the International Conference of Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation was highly relevant and had practical significance. The guest speakers shared their insights into the theme; the organizer attached great importance to the conference; all participants actively engaged in activities involved. Therefore, it was a successful conference and would win recognition from all participants. He shared his views on the five sub-forum themes, stating that the discussions in the five sub-forums covered issues regarding the foreign-related legal talents cultivation in a comprehensive, diverse and systematic manner, including basic questions, key questions and difficulties involved. The speeches by the guest speakers were inspiring and thought-provoking. Prof. SHI, on behalf of the university, expressed sincere gratitude to all participants and heartfelt congratulations and thanks to the School of Juris Master for hosting the conference. He also expressed heartfelt thanks to all the guest speakers for their long-term concern and support for CUPL.
Prof. XU Shenjian, Dean of the School of Juris Master in CUPL, delivered the summary speech. He mentioned that the conference revolved around foreign-related legal talents cultivation and designed the President Forum, Teacher Forum and Student Forum to facilitate exchanges among experts, scholars and students both at home and abroad for mutual coordination, thus facilitating foreign-related legal talents cultivation. The participation of the entire School of Juris Master in this conference was a special gift in celebration of the 70th anniversary of CUPL. He emphasized the significance of foreign-related legal talents cultivation amid major changes unseen in a century, stating that it is a national mission, and law schools should shoulder this historical mission. There is still a long way to go in cultivating foreign-related legal talents. Finally, he expressed sincere gratitude to the guest speakers and the administrative team of the School of Juris Master for organizing this conference, and he looked forward to having more exchanges with domestic and foreign experts and scholars in the future.
Amidst the warm applause, the International Conference of Foreign-related Legal Talents Cultivation came to a successful close.
