Recently, led by Professor Peng Chengxin, Dean of KoGuan School of Law, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, a delegation visited Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Centering on core topics such as joint training of foreign-related legal talents, co-construction of cross-border rule-of-law projects, and legal safeguards for the overseas expansion of Chinese-funded enterprises, the delegation visited a host of institutions including international organizations, judicial authorities, top-tier universities, renowned law firms, chambers of commerce and enterprises. It carried out multi-dimensional and in-depth exchanges and research, and reached a number of cooperation consensuses with multiple institutions. These efforts have effectively expanded the school’s landscape of international cooperation in Southeast Asia and laid a solid foundation for targeted cultivation of foreign-related legal talents and legal services supporting cross-border corporate development. Professor Jiang Bo, Professor Fan Chuanming (Assistant to the Dean), and Associate Professor Zhang Guobin (Assistant to the Dean and Director of the International Affairs Office) joined the delegation. Yao Yuexi, a part-time supervisor engaged in foreign-related legal work, took part in all exchange and research activities.

During its stay in Thailand, the delegation prioritized engagement with chambers of commerce, enterprises and industry associations to conduct in-depth research on the local practical legal ecosystem. The delegation visited the General Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in Thailand and was warmly received by Mu Jianglin, Secretary-General of the Chamber. It held special discussions with representatives of key Chinese-funded enterprises stationed in Thailand, including China State Construction Engineering Corporation and SAIC Motor, as well as senior lawyers from multiple local law firms such as DTL Law Office and Starry Law Firm. From the perspective of integrated development of science, technology and the rule of law, the delegation also held in-depth exchanges with representatives of the Thai-Chinese Association of Science and Technology (TSAST).

To meet the demand for legal safeguards for key industries in Southeast Asia, the delegation conducted targeted exchanges with well-known enterprises including Huayou Cobalt, Tsingshan Holding Group, Zhenshi Holding Group and Weiming Environment Protection.

This visit focused on partnering with leading legal service institutions across Southeast Asia and secured multiple substantive cooperation intentions. The delegation successively visited the Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur branches of Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, as well as Indonesia’s Soemadipradja & Taher Law Firm. Discussions with the three law firms centered on joint training of practical foreign-related legal talents and empirical research on cross-border dispute resolution. All parties agreed to further deepen regional practical legal collaboration through existing cooperation channels, so as to deliver high-quality legal support for economic and trade exchanges between China and Southeast Asia.

During the visit, the delegation also held in-depth discussions with SJTU alumni working on the frontlines of legal practice in Southeast Asia. Having long been engaged in supporting Chinese enterprises’overseas expansion and cross-border legal services, the alumni shared the latest developments of the foreign-related legal sector in Southeast Asia, core competency requirements for professionals and industry-wide pain points based on their practical experience. Their first-hand insights provide valuable reference for the school to optimize its foreign-related legal curriculum system, strengthen practical-oriented education and align talent cultivation with industry demands.

The Southeast Asia visit yielded fruitful, well-documented and remarkable outcomes. The delegation held in-depth exchanges with principals and legal directors of more than 20 Chinese and foreign enterprises in Southeast Asia, and conducted professional discussions with over 30 senior Chinese and foreign lawyers familiar with the Chinese market. It gained a comprehensive understanding of the status quo of cross-border legal service markets, the talent supply-and -demand structure and core legal needs of enterprises in Southeast Asia.

This series of overseas exchanges constitutes an important practice for KoGuan School of Law to advance foreign-related rule-of-law development and international-oriented education. Building on the achievements of this visit, the school will continue to deepen regular cooperation with universities, law firms, chambers of commerce and enterprises in Southeast Asia. It will further improve its foreign-related legal talent-training system featuring academic empowerment, practical orientation, university-enterprise collaboration and cross-border linkage. By precisely aligning with China’s opening-up strategy and the legal needs of Chinese enterprises going global, the school will keep cultivating high-quality, interdisciplinary and international foreign-related legal talents, and continuously enhance its competitiveness in international legal research and foreign-related legal services.