The International Symposium on the EU Trade and Economic Law Transformation and Its Impact on China-EU Relations was successfully held on 20 Sept in Beijing. It was organised by the Centre for China-Europe/EU Law Studies of CUPL and the Institute of European Law of the College of Comparative Law of CUPL.
The symposium brought together six European scholars from Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Osnabrück, Radboud University Nijmegen, University of Graz and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. They were joined by over 60 Chinese experts and scholars from academia and practice, representing institutions such as the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing Normal University, Beihang University, Central University of Finance and Economics, University of International Relations, China Institute of International Studies, Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, Nankai University, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Southwest University of Political Science and Law, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and East China University of Science and Technology, as well as from practice areas including the Beijing Office of King & Wood Mallesons and the Li Auto. Nearly 20 master's and doctoral students also participated in the event. The conference received support from the College of Comparative Law, EU Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence Programme (Project 101176899-EULSCGT) and CUPL’s Emerging Disciplines Development Project.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Prof. Zhang Tong, Director of the Centre for China-Europe/EU Law Studies at CUPL and Jean Monnet Chair Professor. Prof. Liu Yanhong, Vice President of CUPL, delivered the opening address. She congratulated the organisers on the successful convening of the symposium and noted that regional and country-specific law is an emerging, distinctive and advantageous discipline at CUPL, which is crucial for fostering the university's international development. She highlighted that this forum coincides with the historic 50th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between China and the EU. The past half-century has demonstrated that dialogue and cooperation remain the mainstream of relations between these two major global forces. Against the backdrop of a changing geopolitical landscape and challenges to the reshaping of the international trade order, this symposium on ‘EU Trade and Economic Law Transformation and Its Impact on China-EU Relations’ is particularly timely, holding significant academic value and practical relevance. The conference addresses three key topics: AI regulation and data governance, supply chain law, and green trade policies, reflecting both academic cutting-edge research and a profound response to contemporary issues. Prof. Xie Libin, Associate Dean of the College of Comparative Law of CUPL, also delivered remarks. He stated that the conference’s agenda is rich, comprehensive, forward-looking and high-level, representing strong support for the development of the Regional and Country-specific Law discipline at the College. He expressed his hope that scholars and experts would engage in candid discussions, exchange ideas and build consensus during the subsequent sessions.
The symposium was divided into morning and afternoon sessions, featuring presentations from 23 speakers and commentary from 11 discussants across the three themes.
Thematic session one the AI Regulation and Data Governance (Part I) was chaired by Prof. Cheng Weidong, Research Fellow at the Institute of European Studies of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) & President of the European Law Research Association of the Chinese Society for European Studies. Experts and scholars delivered presentations on relevant topics. Prof. Christoph Busch from the University of Osnabrück Faculty of Law & Chairman of the German Consumer Affairs Advisory Council spoke on the ‘Consumer Law for AI Agents’. Prof. Liu Wenjie from the College of Comparative Law discussed the ‘Construction of China’s Artificial Intelligence Governance Mechanism’. Prof. Wang Qiang from the CUPL School of Foreign Studies presented on the ‘Understanding the Development, Regulations and Ethical Implications of Digital Technologies and AI: From a Comparative Perspective between China and Europe’. Former dean of the Humboldt University of Berlin Faculty of Law Prof. Axel Metzger elaborated on the ‘Data Protection or Data Access? On the Realignment of European Data Law after the Data Act’. Prof. Peng Delei, Dean of the Law School of East China University of Science and Technology, shared insights on the ‘Cooperation Mechanism of Cross-border Data Flow between China and EU: How is it Possible?’.
Thematic session one the AI Regulation and Data Governance (Part II) was chaired by Prof. Yu Wenguang from the Renmin University of China Law School. Prof. André Janssen from the Radboud University Nijmegen Faculty of Law presented on the ‘New Update Obligation for Smart Products under the EU Consumer Sales Directive’. Prof. Li Xiaohui from the College of Comparative Law explored the ‘Data Rights and Personal Information Rights: A Perspective from Chinese Law’. A/Prof. Wu Guide from the Beihang University Law School elaborated on the ‘Exploration and Reflection of the Data Intellectual Property Rights Registration in China’. Dr. Jiang Feng'an, Lecturer from the College of Comparative Law, shared findings on the ‘Implications of the US-EU Trade Deal for EU Digital Regulation’. Dr. Zhao Jin, Lecturer from the Capital University of Economics and Business Law School, presented on the ‘Recovery of Massive Live-Streaming Tips’. Dr, Xu Zhiren, Lecturer from the College of Comparative Law, discussed the ‘Rethinking Open Source GPAI Model: the EU AI Act and Responsive Regulation’.
During the discussion session for thematic session one, A/Prof. Yang Guodong from the Southwest University of Political Science and Law, A/Prof. Li Liang from the CUPL Academy for the Foreign-related Rule of Law, A/Prof. Wang Ping from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Dr. Wu Yiyue from the College of Comparative Law, Dr. Zhang Ying from the CUPL Data Law Institute and other experts engaged in discussions and exchanges on the aforementioned reports.
Thematic session two the Supply Chain Law and EU-China Economic Relations (Part I) was chaired by Yang Guohua, professor at the Tsinghua University Law School & Vice President of the Chinese Society of World Trade Organization Law & Arbitrator for the WTO Multi-party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). Prof. Cheng Weidong elaborated on the ‘Transformation of EU Trade Policy and Its Impact’. Prof. Barbara Steininger from the University of Graz Faculty of Law shared insights on the ‘Supply Chain Liability: Riding the Roller Coaster’. Prof. Wang Ping from the Changchun University of Science and Technology Law School discussed the ‘Compliance of EU Supply Chain Rules with the WTO GPA’. Prof. Yuan Zhijie, Vice Dean of the Beijing Normal University Law School, presented on the ‘Beneficial Ownership Rules in China and EU: A Comparison’. A/Prof. Hu Jianguo from the Nankai University Law School elaborated on the ‘Supply Chain Crisis Management under EU Internal Market Emergency and Resilience Act: Characteristics, Influences, and China's Response’.
Thematic session two the Supply Chain Law and EU-China Economic Relations (Part II) was chaired by A/Prof. Zhang Nan from the CUPL Academy for the Foreign-Related Rule of Law. Prof. Teresa Rodriguez de las Heras Ballell from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid Faculty of Law discussed the ‘Supply Chain Rules in a Digital Economy: Due Diligence, Liability and the Role of Platforms’. Prof. Ye Bin, Research Fellow at the Institute of European Studies of CASS & Secretary-General of the European Law Research Association of the Chinese Society for EU Studies, shared insights on the ‘Reining in the EU's Foreign Subsidies Regulation through International Investment Law’. A/Prof. Zhang Huailing from the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics Law School elaborated on the ‘Regulatory Concepts and Implementation Mechanisms of the EU CSDDD from a Comparative Law Perspective’. Ms. Li Yumeng, Partner at the King & Wood Mallesons, presented on the ‘EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation--Challenges for Chinese Companies’. Dr. Zhou Xintong, Lecturer from the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics Law School, discussed the ‘Radiating Effect of the Supply Chain Duty of Care Law on the Judgement of Contract Validity’.
During the discussion session for this thematic session, Dr. Zhao Jianzhe from the University of International Relations, Dr. Xu Jianbo and Dr. Li Xiang from the College of Comparative Law and other experts engaged in discussions and exchanges on the above reports.
Thematic session three the Green Trade Policies was chaired by A/Prof. Yang Guodong from the Southwest University of Political Science and Law. Former Dean of the Humboldt University of Berlin Faculty of Law Prof. Reinhard Singer elaborated on the ‘Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism’. A/Prof. Lan Hua from the CUPL School of International Law shared insights on the ‘Due Diligence Obligation in Climate Change Mitigation--Comparison on China-EU's Rules and Practice’.
During the discussion session for this thematic session, Prof. Ye Bin from the CASS, Ms. Li Yurong from the Li Auto, Ms. Yang Haning from the King & Wood Mallesons and other experts engaged in discussions and exchanges on the aforementioned reports.
During this symposium, Chinese and European experts and scholars gathered together, engaging in multi-dimensional, in-depth and lively exchanges and discussions centred on the conference themes. At the closing ceremony, Dr. Jiang Feng'an provided a systematic summary of the symposium's proceedings. Zhang Tong delivered the closing address. She reviewed the development history of the Centre for China-Europe/EU Law Studies and highlighted its significant achievements in recent years regarding EU Jean Monnet programme applications. Zhang expressed sincere gratitude to all participants for their support and conveyed her anticipation for next year’s gathering, before formally declaring the successful conclusion of the symposium.
