HKU Workshop: China's Identity in International Law (1-2 Sept 2016)

The University of Hong Kong’s

East Asian International Economic Law & Policy Programme,

Asian Institute of International Financial Law,

Centre For Chinese Law

The RGC GRANT SCHEME on

“The Impact Of Western International Law On The Disintegration Of The Late Qing Empire,

And The Continuing Consequences For East Asia In The 21st Century”

&

RGC Theme-based Research Scheme Project: 

“Enhancing Hong Kong’s Future as a Leading International Financial Centre”

An International Workshop on

CHINA’S IDENTITY IN INTERNATIONAL LAW

Co-Chaired by

Professors C. L. Lim & John Anthony Carty

University of Hong Kong Tsinghua University, Beijing

1st and 2nd of September 2016 (Thursday and Friday)

Programme commences at 9:30 a.m. on 1 September 2016

Academic Conference Room, 11/F Cheng Yu Tung Tower, The University of Hong Kong

China's history with international law as practiced on it by the West and Japan has left all its relations politically and militarily with its neighbours volatile and also its relations with the United States. However, too intense an emphasis has been given to the South China Sea issue. It risks neglect of a broader and deeper appraisal of China's international economic relationships and economic treaty arrangements, as well as the range of choices China faces in the WTO, in the sphere of regional trade arrangements, in China's investment treaty policy, in the field of international financial institutions and in the developmental field. After all, the main weight of China's recent strategy for relating to and integrating with the world currently relies upon economic development cooperation and even integration – trade, investment and financial - with important implications for how China perceives itself. Having said that, it appears since 2009 and maybe especially since 2012 that China also wants to deal more with that which has been left over from the past. We propose to take a holistic view of China's foreign economic treaties and initiatives, and the historical and territorial complexities it now faces. We do so by asking how China currently is perceived, and perceives itself, as a major actor in the international legal order. This interdisciplinary collaboration will be led by presentations on original diplomatic archival research and by international economic and financial law experts. 

      Programme to be distributed to attendees. The workshop is open to the public, although please note that seating is limited and registration is required. Please register online or email Flora Leung at fkleung@hku.hk to reserve a place.