‘Codification of Civil Law in China: Recent Developments and Future Prospects’: Guest lecture by Professor Long, Beihang University Law School

The Finnish Center of Chinese Law and Chinese Legal Culture is pleased to announce an upcoming guest lecture by Professor LONG Weiqiu of Beihang University, China.

Professor Long, a Fulbright Scholar and Dean of the Law School of Beihang University, will give a lecture on ‘Codification of Civil Law in China: Recent Developments and Future Prospects’.

Dean Long’s lecture will introduce the motivations, conditions and bases of the current codification of civil law in China. It will discuss and analyze the controversies regarding the framework and other crucial matters, and also comment on the relationship between the new civil code and the existing civil law system in China. Finally, Dean Long will share his thoughts on the prospects for future codification.

Professor Long Weiqiu, Dean of the School of Law, University of Beihang

The lecture will be held on Wednesday, 29 November 2017 at 10:15 in the Meeting Room of the Law Faculty, University of Helsinki (Room 545, 5th floor, Porthania Building, Yliospistonkatu 3, Helsinki).

The presentation will be followed by a discussion, and the event is expected to finish at 11:30.

The lecture is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Stuart Mooney, Coordinator of the Finnish China Law Center, via email at stuart.mooney (at) helsinki.fi.

 

Beihang University School of Law logo

Asian Studies Days and China Research Day 2017

On 9-10 November the University of Helsinki hosted the annual Asian Studies Days, organized by the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies, and the annual China Research Day, organized by the Finnish Institute of International Affairs.

The Finnish Center of Chinese Law and Chinese Legal Culture, the Faculty of Law of the University of Helsinki, and the Confucius Centre of the University of Helsinki co-organized both events.

The theme of this year’s events was China-US Relations and Asian Security. The theme was timely given the concurrent visit of US President Donald Trump to Asia, which included a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The backdrop to the meeting of the two presidents, and to the theme of this year’s China Research Day and Asian Studies Days, is the relative stability of East Asia over the last few decades. Despite historical grievances that have affected intra-regional relations politically, economic inter-dependencies have made the region’s actors seek cooperation rather than conflict.

However, as was highlighted throughout the two-day event, recently there have been indications that the situation may be changing. China’s actions in the East and South China Seas have been regarded by some commentators as increasingly assertive. The Trump presidency has introduced a heightened level of tension in China–US relations. And the bold nuclear and missile tests by North Korea have heightened the risk of a military confrontation in the region.  

These issues were discussed at length in insightful presentations from two prominent Chinese experts on Chinese foreign policy, international relations, and the US/China relationship: Shi Yinhong, Professor of International Relations, Renmin University of China, and Li Mingjiang, Professor, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.  

Organizers and speakers of China Research Day and Asian Studies Days 2017. From left to right: Silja Keva, Dr Sabine Burghart and Prof Outi Luova (University of Turku), Dr Jyrki Kallio (FIIA), Prof Li Mingjiang (Nanyang Technological University), Prof Ulla Liukkunen (China Law Center / University of Helsinki), Dr Elina Sinkkonen (FIIA), Prof Shi Yinhong (Renmin University of China), Stuart Mooney (China Law Center / University of Helsinki), Prof Lauri Paltemaa (University of Turku) and Matias Salo (FIIA). Absent: Prof Julie Yu-Wen Chen (Confucius Institute), Kukka-Maria Kovsky and Olli Hulkko (FIIA). Pic by Tapio Kovera (University of Helsinki).

Professor Outi Luova of the University of Turku, who is also the Director of Finnish University Network for Asian Studies (Asianet), moderated the morning session and the afternoon session was chaired by Elina Sinkkonen, Senior Research Fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs.

During her welcoming words and introduction Julie Chen, Professor of Chinese Studies at the University of Helsinki and Director the Confucius Institute of the University of Helsinki, provided the packed venue with an overview of the broader theoretical and political context in which security tensions in the Asia/Pacific region are being experienced. 

Dr Sabine Burghart, newly arrived University Lecturer in the Center of East Asian Studies, University of Turku, commented on the North Korean aspect of US-China relations, and Jyrki Kallio, Senior Research Fellow of the the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, shared his thoughts on China’s strategy in the South China Sea dispute. 

The calibre of speakers, as well as the timeliness and importance of the main theme, meant that over 130 people participated in the events. Professor Shi was also interviewed by the Finnish television station MTV3.

The organizers and speakers would like to thank Deputy Mayor Pia Pakarinen for generously hosting a City of Helsinki reception to mark these important annual events.

As Professor Ulla Liukkunen, Director of the Finnish China Law Center, said during her speech at the reception, the official City of Helsinki reception not only underscores the importance of bilateral legal education and research cooperation between Finland and China, but highlights the special, long-term relationship that exists between the capital cities of Helsinki and Beijing.

The organizers would also like to acknowledge the generous assistance provided by the Joel Toivola Foundation.

ASIAN STUDIES DAYS, 9-10 NOVEMBER

 

 

On 9-10 November the University of Helsinki will host the annual Asian Studies Days.

This theme of this year’s two-day event is China-US Relations and Asian Security.

The event is organized by the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies in with collaboration with the Finnish Center of Chinese Law and Chinese Legal Culture, the Faculty of Law of the University of Helsinki, the Finnish Institute of International Affairs and the Confucius Centre of the University of Helsinki.

The organizers acknowledge the generous assistance provided by the Joel Toivola Foundation.

Program

Thursday 9 November

Venue: University of Helsinki, Unioninkatu 35, AUD 116 (first floor)

9:00-9:30 Coffee/tea

9:30-11:00 Keynote lectures

An Introduction to the South China Sea Dispute: LI Mingjiang, Professor, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

The Current Fundamental Situation over North Korea:  SHI Yinhong, Professor of International Relations, Renmin University of China

Please note that the morning session on Thursday 9 November is a public event for which registration is not required.

13:00-15:30 China Research Day

13:00 Tea and coffee

13:30 Chair: Elina SINKKONEN, Senior Research Fellow, the Finnish Institute of International Affairs

Welcoming words and introduction to the theme: Julie CHEN, Professor of Chinese Studies, University of Helsinki

The United States and China Today: The Emerging Strategic Retrenchment in Dynamic Uncertainties: SHI Yinhong, Professor of International Relations, Renmin University of China

Comments: Sabine BURGHART, University Lecturer, Center of East Asian Studies, University of Turku

China’s Strategy in the South China Sea Dispute: LI Mingjiang, Professor, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Comments: Jyrki KALLIO, Senior Research Fellow, the Finnish Institute of International Affairs

15:30 End of seminar

18:30–19:30 Reception hosted by the City of Helsinki, Old Court House, Aleksanterinkatu 20

Please note the afternoon session of Thursday 9 November requires registration. A detailed program of this event, including information registration, can be found on the China Research Day event page.

Friday 10 November Doctoral training seminar

Venue: Unioninkatu 38, seminar rooms D112 and D113.

9:00-11:00 Introductory sessions

11:00-12:00 Lunch

12:00-13:30 Second session

13:30-14:00 Coffee/tea

14:00-15:00 Final session

Please note that the registration period for participation in the doctoral training seminar has ended.

Further information

Additional information about the morning session of Thursday 9 November and the Doctorial Seminar on Friday 10 November can be found on the Asianet website. Please direct questions to Outi Luova, Director of the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies, at outluo (at) utu.fi.

For more information about the afternoon session of Thursday 9 November (that is, China Research Day) please see the full program with speaker biographiesIf you have any questions about the China Research Day please contact Kukka-Maria Kovsky via telephone at +358 9 432 7718 or via at kukka-maria.kovsky (at) fiia.fi.

Event organizers:

The Asian Studies Days event is proudly organized by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

GUEST LECTURE BY PROF. XI CHAO ON SECURITIES REGULATION IN CHINA

On 21 August 2017, the Finnish China Law Center hosted a guest lecture by Professor Xi Chao, Vice-Dean and Vice Chancellor’s Outstanding Fellow of the Faculty of Law, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The lecture, titled ‘Biased Securities Regulators? Evidence from China’, was introduced by Professor Ulla Liukkunen, Director of the Finnish China Law Center.

Prof. Xi Chao, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Law at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, discussing his research on Chinese securities regulators.

In his presentation, Prof. Xi discussed the much-debated question of whether securities regulators are sensitive to considerations that extend beyond the ‘mere merits’ of a case. While this question has received attention in the United States, little is known about the determinants of enforcement actions taken by regulators of Chinese securities markets.

Why is this important? Among other reasons, because the Chinese securities market is the second largest in the world.

During a stimulating presentation and discussion, Prof. Xi discussed his empirical research that involved manually collecting a new dataset on all so-called ‘disclosed’ securities enforcement actions, both formal and informal, taken against securities violations by Chinese securities regulators between 1998 -2016.

Prof. Xi’s research demonstrates that larger Chinese firms, those controlled by the state, those that are more politically embedded, and firms that cooperate more closely with securities regulators, are less likely to be targeted by regulatory enforcement actions. In addition, when these types of firms are targeted, they are more likely to fare better.

On the other hand, Prof. Xi’s research revealed what he considered a ‘counter-intuitive finding’: that closer personal bonds between people working in Chinese firms and securities regulators are likely to reduce the severity of enforcement actions, but are unlikely to minimize the likelihood of being targeted in the first place.

During his visit to Finland, Professor Chao also taught in the University of Helsinki Summer School Course, ‘Law and Society in China‘, coordinated and taught by the Finnish China Law Center’s postdoctoral researcher Dr. Yihong Zhang.

UPCOMING GUEST LECTURE: SECURITIES REGULATION IN CHINA, PROF. XI CHAO, 21 AUGUST 2017

The Finnish Center of Chinese Law and Chinese Legal Culture and Faculty of Law, University of Helsinki are pleased to announce a guest lecture by Professor Xi Chao, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Law, Chinese University of Hong Kong:

‘Biased Securities Regulators? Evidence from China’

TIME: 2 – 4pm, Monday August 21

PLACE: Law Faculty Meeting Room (P545), 5th floor of the Porthania Building (Yliopistonkatu 3, Helsinki).

The event is free of charge, open to everyone and no registration is needed.

Lecture overview

In the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis, a much debated topic in the academic and policy discourse on securities regulation is whether securities regulators are sensitive to considerations beyond just the merits of the case. While the literature is growing in regard to securities enforcement in the United States, little is known as of yet about the determinants of enforcement actions taken by the primary regulators of the Chinese securities markets, the second largest in the world. This research draws on a unique, hand-collected dataset on all disclosed securities enforcement actions, both formal and informal, taken against securities violations by the Chinese securities regulators during the period from 1998 through 2016. It offers a glimpse into the intensity of securities enforcement actions, both market-level and firm-level, in China. It also sheds important light on the determinants of Chinese securities enforcement practices. It shows empirically that firms that are larger in size, firms that are controlled by the state, and firms that characterize with a higher level of political embeddedness, and firms that cooperate more closely with the securities regulators are less likely to be targeted and, when they are targeted, they are more likely to fare better. A somewhat counter-intuitive finding of this research is that a closer personal bond with the securities regulators are likely to reduce the severity of enforcement actions, but are unlikely to minimize the likelihood of being targeted in the first place.

This research has been supported by a General Research Fund (CUHK-452913) from the Hong Kong SAR Research Grants Council.

Biography of Professor Xi

Dr Xi is Professor and Vice Chancellor’s Outstanding Fellow of the Faculty of Law, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). He specializes in comparative corporate law, securities regulation, and financial regulation, and has published extensively in leading peer-reviewed international journals. He is Professorial Research Associate of the SOAS China Institute, University of London, and a Board Member of the European China Law Studies Association.

Further information

For questions about this, and other events organized or facilitated by the Finnish Center of Chinese Law and Chinese Legal Culture, please contact Center Coordinator Stuart Mooney (stuart.mooney (at) helsinki.fi).

President of the Finnish Supreme Court attended our guest lecture on Arbitration of International Financial Disputes in Shanghai

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Dean Professor Kimmo Nuotio, Dean Professor Shan Wenhua, Justice Timo Esko, Professor Ulla Liukkunen, Dean Professor Shen Wei

 

Professor Shen Wei, Dean of the Shandong University Law School, gave a guest lecture on Arbitration of International Financial Disputes in Shanghai on Monday, 2 May  2016.

The talk presented the latest developments of international commercial arbitration in China and Shanghai’s plan to turn itself to be a global financial center. The lecture gave detailed insights regarding the implementation of Shanghai’s strategy to build up dispute resolutions platforms for financial disputes. Following the interesting presentation, the audience counting mostly practitioners, including the President of the Finnish Supreme Court Timo Esko, engaged into a discussion on the challenges faced by practitioners of trans-border arbitration and the growing importance of China.

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The Center’s Guest Lecture Series receives scholars from China and other countries to present the recent developments in specific fields of Chinese law or their research related to Chinese law and Chinese legal culture. The purpose of this series is to keep all interested well informed about the transformations within Chinese law as well as bring awareness of the research focus among China Law scholars. Moreover, the guest lecture series aims to facilitate a cross-border exchange of ideas and promote legal comparison.

 

Professor Ulla Liukkunen and Dean Professor Shen Wei
Professor Ulla Liukkunen and Dean Professor Shen Wei

At the occasion of his visit to Finland, Professor Shen Wei has donated to the Center’s library collection his latest publication: “Investor Protection in the Capital Markets: The Case of Hong Kong. This publication focuses on and applies the investor protection benchmarks as set out in the 2014 (new) Companies Ordinance and Securities and Futures Ordinance, ranging across the following main topics: Hong Kong’s regulatory framework for the capital markets in general; Regulation of issuers through the disclosure regime; Regulation of intermediaries; Investor compensation schemes; Market misconducts regulated by the Securities and Futures Ordinance as provided for in the Securities and Futures Ordinance; Approved Trading Services (ATS); Lehman Brothers’ minibonds saga and investor protection issue in the context of structured financial products regulation; Heated debates on HKEx’s rejection of Alibaba’s request to be listed in Hong Kong.