On June 22, 2024, the Forum on Foreign-Related Rule of Law Construction was convened at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Xuhui Campus. The event aimed to bolster theoretical and practical research in foreign-related legal systems, reform the talent cultivation model, and accelerate the establishment of collaborative innovation bases. The discussions focused on high-quality development and high-level openness. Participants offered insights and recommendations to speed up China’s efforts in building a robust foreign-related legal framework.

Notable attendees included Liu Yanhao, Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice and Member of Shanghai Municipal Committee Office for Comprehensive Rule of Law Governance; Hu Weiwei, Deputy Party Secretary and Vice President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Zhao Ting, Director of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Operations Division of World Intellectual Property Organization; Huang Jin, Distinguished Professor at Wuhan University and former President of China University of Political Science and Law, Vice President of China Law Society, Chair of its Academic Committee, and President of both Chinese Society of International Law and Chinese Society of Private International Law; Yang Song, President and Professor of Shenyang Normal University; Liu Xiaohong, President and Professor of Shanghai University of Political Science and Law; Liu Renshan, Vice President and Professor of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law; and Han Qiang, Deputy Party Secretary and Professor at East China University of Political Science and Law. More than 50 scholars and practitioners from various universities attended this forum. The opening ceremony was chaired by Xie Zhitao, Party Secretary and Researcher  at KoGuan Law School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Hu Weiwei welcomed the participants, emphasizing the growing importance of legal norms in international competition. She highlighted the need for law schools in China to collaborate in training foreign-related legal talents. Zhao Ting shared his experiences and insights from the World Intellectual Property Organization, stressing the importance of universities aligning closely with international organizations and domestic institutions to cultivate legal talents. Liu Yanhao discussed Shanghai's role as a leader in foreign-related legal construction. He highlighted the urgency of international cooperation in foreign-related law to meet the strategic demands of Shanghai's development.

The thematic discussion on“Foreign-Related Rule of Law and Chinese Legal Modernization”was chaired by Peng Chengxin, Dean of KoGuan Law School. Huang Jin delivered the keynote speech on the era's logic in accelerating the development of foreign-related legal systems and capabilities. Huang emphasized the need to foster a world-class business environment by aligning with high international economic and trade standards. He also highlighted the importance of international law research and participation in formulating global rules.

Subsequent keynote addresses by Yang Song, Liu Xiaohong, and Liu Renshan explored critical issues in constructing China's foreign-related legal system, Shanghai's local innovations in this domain, and the framework for foreign relations law in China. Pan Jianfeng, former Dean of the School of Law at Peking University; Du Huanfang, Party Secretary of the School of Law at Renmin University of China; and Qin Tianbao, Dean of the School of Law at Wuhan University also delivered speeches on foreign-related rule of law.

Afternoon sessions focused on the construction of academic disciplines and curricular systems related to foreign-related law and the collaborative training mechanisms for legal talents. Han Qiang's keynote speech on strengthening collaborative innovation in talent cultivation offered thoughtful insights and suggestions. Professor Peng Yue, Dean of the School of Law at Nanjing University; Professor Jiang Huiling, Dean of the School of Law at Tongji University; Professor Zhou Changjun, Dean of the School of Law at Shandong University, along with experts and scholars delivered specialist reports. Professor Song Xiaoyan, Dean of the School of Law at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, served as the moderator. Professor Qiao Baojie, Dean of the School of Law at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics; Professor Song Jie, Dean of the School of Law at Zhejiang Gongshang University; Professor Peng Delei, Dean of the School of Law at East China University of Science and Technology; Ning Qingyu, Project Legal Director at Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited; Li Judong, Director at Beijing Yingke (Shanghai) Law Firm; Yao Hongmin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (Shanghai International Arbitration Center); and other experts and scholars participated as discussants. Professor Hu Jiaxiang, Director of the Department of International Law at KoGuan Law School, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, provided the closing summary.

Li Xiaokun from Wuhan University and Xie Zhenxian from Shanghai Maritime Court also contributed to the discussions on advancing the field of foreign-related law. Li Xiaokun, Party Secretary of the School of Law at Wuhan University; Xie Zhenxian, Chief Judge of the Admiralty Tribunal at the Shanghai Maritime Court; and Sun Junye, Deputy Director of the Secretariat at the Office of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee for Rule of Law, also attended the forum.

KoGuan Law School has been actively exploring foreign-related law in alignment with national strategic needs. With a comprehensive foreign-related law curriculum and a high-level international collaboration network, the school will continue to cultivate legal talents with global perspectives.