Congratulations to Professor Ying Xia and Professor Ying Zhu!

Congratulations to Prof. Ying Xia and Prof. Ying Zhu on their promotion to Associate Professor! 

Prof. Xia is an interdisciplinary scholar whose work focuses on environmental governance and developmental studies, taking a socio-legal approach. She is a leading contributor to the rapidly growing field of environmental governance in China. To read more about Prof. Xia's research and publications, click here.

Prof. Zhu is a distinguished legal scholar specialising in trade and investment, in particular sanctions, compliance, and other cutting-edge fields, working closely with policy-makers at both the national and international levels. To read more about Prof. Zhu's research and publications, click here.

Prof. Ying Xia and Prof. Ying Zhu are valuable members of our Faculty, and this promotion is a well-deserved recognition of their contributions.

Abdulkadir Yilmazcan on The Slow Train to Reforming Anti-Dumping Measures (Amicus Curiae)

"The Slow Train to Reforming Anti-Dumping Measures"

Abdulkadir Yilmazcan (PhD graduate)

Amicus Curiae

Series 2, Vol 3, No. 2, pp. 335-360
Published in 2022

Abstract: This essay examines the need for and slow progress towards a revision of the Anti-Dumping Agreement, but they are without positive outcomes. Several reasons account for this failure such as the deadlock in the Doha Development Round, mega trade agreements and the willingness of top anti-dumping users to engage in meaningful reform. In this paper, alternative solutions are proposed to settle the hidden trade protectionism in anti-dumping investigations. Normative solutions include a comprehensive reform of the Anti-Dumping Agreement. Such a revision has already been suggested in the literature, but this study departs from most others by prioritizing procedural issues rather than substantive ones. The study proposes changes to enhancing procedural justice in anti-dumping processes.

Maisie Ooi on Choice of Law in the Shifting Sands of Securities Trading (new book chapter)

"Choice of Law in the Shifting Sands of Securities Trading"
Maisie Ooi
in A Conflict of Laws Companion, ed. by Andrew Dickinson and Edwin Peel, (Oxford University Press, June 2021), Chapter 8

Abstract: The author examines how the conflict of laws has approached the task of determining the law applicable to issues relating to securities, and whether that approach is suitable for determining the law applicable to the proprietary aspects of securities created or traded through the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT), including cryptosecurities, and other new forms of securities holding and trading.

Angela Zhang on The US-China Trade Negotiation: A Contract Theory Perspective (Georgetown J Int'l L)

"The U.S.-China Trade Negotiation: A Contract Theory Perspective"

Angela Zhang

Georgetown Journal of International Law

2020, Vol 51, No 4,

Abstract: International trade negotiations have traditionally been viewed as a two-level political bargain between trading nations and among domestic interest groups. While this bargaining model is helpful for predicting the political dynamics in trade negotiations, its focus on politics tends to obscure the economic consequences of trade agreements. Drawing upon insights from contract theory in economics, this Article analyzes three ingredients of transaction costs that lead to the incompleteness of a trade agreement — the unforeseen contingencies, cost of enforcing the contract and the cost of writing the agreement. Using the Sino-U.S. trade negotiation between 2018 to 2019 as a comprehensive case study, this Article illustrates the circumstances when a trade agreement is difficult to write, unlikely to succeed and impossible to enforce. As an alternative to a trade agreement, this Article advocates instead for greater economic integration as a commitment device. By allowing each country to hold the other’s assets hostage, economic integration can facilitate cooperation between nations when trust is lacking. This Article contributes to the existing literature by proposing an economic framework to analyze the promise and perils of trade negotiations. It also offers a cautionary tale of using economic sanction to force other countries to make legal concessions. Click here to read the full article.

Xu Qian on Phoenix from the Ashes: CPTPP Meaning for Asia-Pacific (and Global) Investment (AJWH)

"Phoenix from the Ashes: CPTPP Meaning for Asia-Pacific (and Global) Investment"
Xu Qian
Asian Journal of WTO Law and Health Policy, Volume 15.2

Published in October 2020

Abstract: Formerly known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (hereinafter “TPP”), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for TransPacific Partnership (hereinafter “CPTPP”) is a multilateral Free Trade Agreement (hereinafter “FTA”) signed by eleven Asia-Pacific Countries on March 8, 2018. The aim of the CPTPP is to boost international trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to the entry into force of the CPTPP, the U.S. withdrew from the TPP agreement in early 2017. In spite of this, the CPTPP nevertheless portrays a critical advance toward deeper trade and investment linkages in the Asia-Pacific region and also projects new and exclusive features for regional trade. This article provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the new pact and demonstrates how the CPTPP codifies many changes and clarifications made to investment law over the last years. Importantly, the normative quality and geographic scope of the CPTPP places the agreement amongst the most detailed and important investment treaties. In fact, the CPTPP may be read as a strengthening (or a de facto renegotiation) of North American Free Trade Agreement (hereinafter “NAFTA”) and many other agreements such as the 2010 ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand (AANZ) FTA. Last but not least, the TPP truly displays a systemic importance because it has the potential to become a multilateral treaty as the membership is open to new members willing to sign up to its terms.

Xianchu Zhang on the Transparency Challenge to China's Socialist Market Economy (Journal of Comparative Law)

"Transparency Challenge to China's Socialist Market Economy"
Xianchu Zhang
The Journal of Comparative Law,
2017, Vol. 12, Issue. 2
published in 2017

Introduction: Transparency has been recognised as a global norm in both governance of the state and functioning of the market economy. Some studies have suggested that by 2020 'market and business transparency will be universally accepted across the G20 countries and beyond as critical to economic resilience and sustainable value creation.'

     Recently, transparency in China has become a focal point in the international controversy on China's market economy status following the expiry in November 2016 of the 15-year transitional period (2001-2016) under Sec. 15 of the Protocol of China's Accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The United States (US), the European Union (EU) and Japan announced their decision not to grant China its coveted status as a full market economy because China's domestic laws and legal interpretations had not made sufficient progress towards their understandings of the standards of a 'market economy.'  Their concerns included serious worries about China's market transparency. China responded by launching a legal action in the WTO to fight for its claims in December 2016. As a result, China's market status, including its transparency condition, is going to be judged in due course within the WTO mechanism. 

     International concerns with China's lack of transparency have also been reflected in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) encouragement that China be more transparent in its foreign exchange operations, a joint expression of deep anxiety by major developed countries with China's new legislation on anti-terrorism, cyber-security and foreign charities for their potential to impede trade and investment, expression of disappointment in the recent Group 20 (G20) meeting for lack of transparency in China top leaders' explanation of the country's economic downturn and related governmental measures, doubts raised about China's claim to be a leading economy of the world given 'an alarming lack of transparency', and the criticism made of China's autocratic measures without transparency in dealing with its financial market shocks.

     Transparency has been long identified as one of the crucial benchmarks of a market economy, and the current paper critically examines the major concerns in this regard given that China sees itself as a market economy of a special kind - a socialist market economy.  These concerns include China's WTO commitments, renewed pledges made in recent years for further reform, and the institutional challenges to be faced in improving conditions for greater transparency.  The paper argues, however, that even after nearly 40 years of keeping with the authoritarian ideology of the Communist Party of China (CPC),  rather than in accordance with market demands.  As a result, there is a considerable institutional gap for the Party-State to overcome if China's economic rise is to be matched by general recognition of China as a leading economy in the world...

Anselmo Reyes on Foreign Direct Investment in the Philippines and the Pitfalls of Economic Nationalism (new book chapter)

"FDI in the Philippines and the Pitfalls of Economic Nationalism"
Anselmo Reyes
in Julien Chaisse and Luke Nottage (eds), International Investment Treaties and Arbitration Across Asia (Brill, 2018), pp. 243-279

Abstract: Recent trends in Philippine growth and FDI reveal only modest achievements, when compared with other ASEAN countries, and little impact on income inequality.  These outcomes are attributed to the policy of economic nationalism in the Philippines' constitutional and legislative framework for FDI, whereby government reserves 'strategic' fields to Filipinos, while foreigners face hurdles in making investments.  The account doubts whether foreign nationals can safeguard investments by recourse to Philippine BITS as those reinforce economic nationalism by requiring FDI to comply with Philippine law.  Poulsen's observation that developing countries entered into BITS oblivious of the risks does not seem applicable to the Philippines, which has deftly used BITS to advance economic nationalism.  Litigation before domestic courts is not an alternative for protecting investor rights, but international commercial arbitration may become so in due course.  The account concludes with proposals for future policy.

Richard Cullen's Australian Perspective on Brexit (SCMP)

"Can Brexit make Britain better? For answers, look at what 'Brentry' did for Australia"

Richard Cullen
South China Morning Post
23 March 2017

The claimed consequences of Brexit, good and bad, have been the subject of much debate. In fact, guidance from more than four decades ago on how outcomes may unfold after a major resetting of the macro-economic framework may be drawn from the repercussions of “Brentry”. Britain entered the forerunner to the EU, the European Economic Community, in 1973. That decision was ratified in a UK referendum in 1975.

     At the time of “Brentry”, Australia had a significant manufacturing sector, which made everything from textiles, toasters and motor vehicles to trains and agricultural equipment. This sector operated behind high tariff walls and other protectionist measures. Meanwhile, as a commonwealth country, Australian primary produce enjoyed favourable access to the UK market.

     Those preferences were swept aside with “Brentry”. Australian butter exports to the UK plunged by around 90 per cent and apple exports declined by over 60 per cent in the years following 1973. The paramount initial experience of “Brentry” in Australia combined cultural and economic shock with a mood of deep concern about the future... Click here to read the full article, which provides a synopsis of a longer essay entitled "Lessons From Brentry". This essay can be downloaded here. It explores the issues in more depth and addresses questions not dealt with in the SCMP article - but which arise from it.

CL Lim Speaks at the Mega-regulation after TPP Conference in Tokyo

CL Lim recently spoke at the Megaregulation after TPP Conference organised by NYU's Institute for International Law and Justice in cooperation with the United Nations University and the National Institute for Policy Studies.  The conference was held in Tokyo from 24-25 November 2016.

Professor Lim spoke on Investor-State Dispute Settlement on panel chaired by Annelise Riles.  Earlier this year, Professor Lim's co-edited 2012 book, The Trans-Pacific Partnership: A Quest for the Twenty-first Century Trade Agreement (originally published by Cambridge University Press) was translated and published in Chinese.  The book is published by Law Press China.

Kelvin Kwok to Speak on Belt & Road and Free Trade (RGC Event, 18 Dec 2016)

Kelvin Kwok will speak on "The Belt and Road Initiative and Free Trade" on Sunday, 18 December 2016, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm at the Hong Kong Central Library Lecture Theatre G/F.  His presentation will be in Cantonese and admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis.  The University Grants Council's press statement reads as follows:

"The Research Grants Council (RGC) will present its fourth public lecture this year under the theme "Belt and Road" on December 18 (Sunday) at Hong Kong Central Library.
    The RGC has invited Assistant Professor of the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong Mr Kelvin Kwok and the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Professor of the Department of Economics at Lingnan University, Professor Wei Xiangdong, to share their research findings and knowledge with the public. Details of the lecture are as follows:
Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library
Language: Cantonese
Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis.
      The Belt and Road Initiative has attracted worldwide attention with one of the co-operation priorities under the Initiative being the promotion of unimpeded trade between China and other Belt and Road countries. Mr Kwok will give a lecture entitled "The Belt and Road Initiative and Free Trade" to discuss the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative to China's economic development, the legal and economic issues pertaining to trade liberalisation and antitrust enforcement, and the strategies adopted by China in trade dealings with other Belt and Road countries."

CL Lim on Trade Law and the Vienna Convention's Systemic Integration Clause (new book chapter)

"Trade Law and the Vienna Treaty Convention's Systemic Integration Clause"
CL Lim
in J Chaisse & TY Lin (eds), International Economic Law and Governance (OUP 2016) ch 8

Introduction: Professor Mitsuo Matsushita has shown an abiding interest in the systemic problems faced by the multilateral trading system. I recall his interventions on GATT Article XX and, in particular, his keen interest in the challenges posed by regional trade agreements (RTAs). He has spoken often about the RTA problem during events held by the Asia WTO Research Network over the past decade. This tribute to him discusses Article 31 (1) (3) (c) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT), or the ‘systemic integration clause’, in light of his concerns. 

     Article 31 (3) (c) has been discussed in the WTO jurisprudence. Panels and the Appellate Body have occasionally had to address questions about the integration of the WTO legal order with WTO Members’ other international legal obligations. But – with some notable exceptions – it is an issue that could benefit from greater attention still. Such benign neglect may be questioned, since this clause could provide a broader approach to external norms than Article XX’s General Exceptions Clause in resolving conflicts between WTO and non-WTO treaties, and between WTO treaty norms and a whole range of non-treaty-derived norms. The utility of the clause in dealing with conflicts between WTO and RTA rules has been a subject of special neglect. 

     The Vienna Convention’s ‘systemic integration clause’, as we shall call it, read together with the Appellate Body’s famous pronouncement in US – Gasoline that the GATT is not to be read in clinical isolation from public international law, deserves close attention as the multilateral trading system continues to grapple with non-trade regulatory issues and the increasing complexity of the WTO’s interrelationship with the RTAs. However, while the existence and applicability of the systemic integration clause in the WTO acquis has been acknowledged and upheld by the Appellate Body, the full manner in which it could be ‘operationalized’ to borrow Philippe Sands’ terminology, remains a matter of conjecture. Part of that difficulty lies as I have said in an incomplete exploration of the clause itself in the trade literature, but it also lies in the clause’s very narrow application thus far in the WTO’s case law.

Haochen Sun on the Hermes Litigation and Trademark Protection in China (EIPR)

"Hermès in the Lost (Luxury) Paradise: How to Secure Enhanced Well-Known Trademark Protection in China"

Haochen Sun

European Intellectual Property Review

2016, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 101-108

Abstract: A series of cases that Hermès litigated in China provide profound lessons for transnational companies to tap into the potential of trade marks in promoting their businesses in China. The first part of this article takes a close look at the trajectory of the Hermès v Dafeng litigation, in which Hermès failed to prove that both the HERMÈS mark and its Chinese transliteration were well-known trade marks in China. By drawing on Hermès v Dafeng and other cases Hermès litigated, the second and third parts provide a nuanced analysis of the key issues for protecting trade marks in the Chinese first-to-file system and for determining the well-known trade mark status of a mark in China. The fourth and fifth parts examine the lessons that can be gleaned from a series of Hermès cases for securing anti-confusion and anti-dilution protection of trade marks in China.

Farzana Aslam on Whether Hong Kong Has Reached a Tipping Point (The Diplomat)

"Three Strikes: A Tipping Point for Hong Kong?"
Farzana Aslam
The Diplomat
24 March 2016

For the past few decades, Hong Kong’s business networks with mainland China and neighboring countries have positioned it advantageously for intraregional trade and investment activities. A low tax regime, a wealth of financial, logistics, legal, and accounting professionals, a transparent legal environment, and a commitment to the rule of law have enticed transnational companies to locate their headquarters in the territory, defining Hong Kong as the “Gateway to the East.” Confident in the longevity of this role, in 2001 Hong Kong designated itself as “Asia’s World City.” However, three recent events have marked a tipping point in the geopolitical relevance of Hong Kong.

Strike One: The TPP

The first of these events took place on February 4, 2016 with the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The 12 nations that are party to the TPP — Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam — have reached an ambitious new trade agreement. Significantly for Hong Kong, China is not a signatory. While the TPP will eliminate trade restrictions, tariffs, and barriers in order to facilitate trade and foreign direct investment between signatory states, it is also likely to disrupt existing patterns of trade and investment in Asia Pacific for non-signatory states in the region. As such, the TPP represents a strategic play by the U.S. government to assert its influence in the region by shifting flows of foreign direct investment and trade away from China.

     Part of TPP’s approach is to achieve its aims by raising labor standards across the Asia-Pacific region, rather than by taking advantage of a pool of cheap labor at the expense of minimal labor protections, as has been the net impact of many foreign trade agreements. In this way, TPP’s architects hope not only to avoid a “race to the bottom” by improving the conditions of workers in the Asia Pacific region, but also to level the playing field for American businesses... Click here to read the full article.

CL Lim on Customary International Law's Vitality in Protecting International Trade

"The Strange Vitality of Custom in the International Protection of Contracts, Property, and Commerce"

CL Lim

in Curtis A Bradley (ed), Custom's Future: International Law in a Changing World (Cambridge University Press 2016) 205-229

Abstract: Because trade and investment laws often result from treaties, the role of custom has become concealed under a patchwork of treaty rules. Out of sight, custom is out of mind, its utility scorned. By shifting attention from law-making to international economic law’s "adjudicative aspects", this chapter intends to, first, defend custom's "weak intertwination" with treaty law, particularly in the interpretation of investment treaty clauses which protect property and contractual rights. Secondly, this chapter responds to custom's critics. It argues that (i) customary rules are as susceptible as treaties to detailed customization in their design, (ii) customary law-making can also be formed through complex trade-offs (not, simply, through "in-kind" reciprocity), and (iii) custom’s lack of predictability is overstated. This is because the same diplomatic, organizational, and institutionalized methods often used for treaty law-making are strongly intertwined with customary law-making.  Contact the author for a copy.

CL Lim Interviewed on the US-ASEAN Summit (VOA)

"ASEAN-US Summit Viewed as More Symbolic Than Substantive"
Steve Herman
Voice of America
10 February 2016

With a backdrop of Beijing's growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea, President Barack Obama is set next week to host the leaders of the 10 ASEAN members at an estate near Palm Springs, California.

     Analysts caution that expectations about the outcome need to be managed. “This being the last year of President Obama in office, I'm not particular strong on the idea that a great deal of substance can be done,” said Simon Tay, chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.

     The Philippines and Vietnam are among those involved in maritime territorial disputes with China, and increasingly looking to Washington for security assurances. That puts them apart from some of the other ASEAN states, which resist amplifying the rhetoric toward Beijing.

     That also could make it difficult for any substantive or groundbreaking proclamation emerging from the meeting in California.

      “I don't think the United States is setting out to wreck anything,“ said Hong Kong University international law professor Chin Leng Lim. “But of course the United State has concerns about the South China Sea, about freedom of navigation... and these issues will be put up front at the summit.”... Click here to read the full article.  Professor Lim's books include International Economic Law after the Global Crisis (CUP 2015) and The Trans-Pacific Partnership (CUP 2012).

CL Lim Interviewed on China's New Free Trade Agreements (CRI English)

"Panel Discussion: China's new FTA deals"
China Radio International English
25 December 2015

Description: Earlier in December, China launched new free trade agreements with Australia and South Korea.  The accords are widely seen as two of the most significant that China has reached with other countries, and could provide a boost to China's trade at a time of falling exports and imports. For more on this, Zheng Chenguang and Michael Butterworth talk to:  Chin Leng Lim, Professor of International Economic Law at the University of Hong Kong, and Cheng Dawei, Professor at the School of Economics and Renmin University of China.  Click here to listen to the interview.

CL Lim Interviewed on the Next Global Trade War with China (Reuters)

"Trade rows brew as China helps home team tackle slowdown"
Michael Martina and Tom Miles
Reuters
11 December 2015

China is sowing the seeds of a global trade war as its smelters, refiners and manufacturers increasingly export goods they can't sell into a slowing domestic economy, prompting accusations of dumping and unfair subsidies from its trading partners.

     With China's exporters already gaining a competitive edge from its weakening currency, global metals producers are crying foul over Beijing's plans to cut export taxes, and the United States is complaining that a raft of government subsidy programmes disadvantage rival producers.

     Beijing hopes to gain market economy status under World Trade Organization rules a year from now, which would force trading partners to use China's domestic prices instead of a third party's to assess if it is exporting below market value, and it has warned that it will fight back if countries continue to resort to anti-dumping duties.

     Chin Leng Lim, a trade expert and professor of law at the University of Hong Kong, said a combination of factors could stoke trade tensions to a pitch not seen since the global financial crisis.

     "You've got a slowing economy in China, a huge push on exports, a pushback on the part of producers in the United States and an election looming, while there is a question hanging around some of the rules of the game. It's going to be exciting," Lim said.

     Growth in the world's second-largest economy has slowed to a 25-year low, hitting demand for industrial raw materials like steel and copper, so domestic producers are looking to sell their surplus on a saturated global market... Click here to read the full article.

New Issue: SSRN Legal Studies Research Paper Series (HKU)

Vol. 5, No. 5: 24 June 2015

Table of Contents

1. Legal Pluralism, Institutionalism, and Judicial Recognition of Hong Kong-China Cross-Border Insolvency Judgments
Emily Lee, The University of Hong Kong - Faculty of Law

2. The Evolution of Relational Property Rights: A Case of Chinese Rural Land Reform
Shitong Qiao, University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law
Frank K. Upham, New York University School of Law

3. What Determines M&A Legal and Financial Advisors’ Competitiveness in an International Financial Centre: Using China's Going Out Policy as a Natural Experiment
Bryane Michael, University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law, University of Oxford
Dariusz Wojcik, University of Oxford, St. Peter's College
Douglas W. Arner, University of Hong Kong - Faculty of Law
Chen Lin, The University of Hong Kong - Faculty of Business and Economics
Wilson H.S. Tong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University - School of Accounting and Finance, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) - Department of Finance
Simon X. Zhao, The University of Hong Kong - Department of Geography

4. Defaming by Suggestion: Searching for Search Engine Liability in the Autocomplete Era
Anne S. Y. Cheung, The University of Hong Kong - Faculty of Law

5. Trade Finance in East Asia: Potential Responses to the Shortfall
Ross P. Buckley, University of New South Wales (UNSW) - Faculty of Law
Douglas W. Arner, University of Hong Kong - Faculty of Law
Rebecca Stanley, University of New South Wales (UNSW) - Faculty of Law

New Book: International Economic Law after the Global Crisis

International Economic Law after the Global Crisis: A Tale of Fragmented Disciplines
Editors: CL Lim and Bryan Mercurio
Cambridge University Press
April 2015, 557 pp.

Description: This collection explores the theme of fragmentation within international economic law as the world emerges from the 2008 global financial crisis, the subsequent recession and the European sovereign debt crisis which began in early 2010. The post-crisis 'moment' itself forms a contemporary backdrop to the book's focus on fragmentation as it traces the evolution of the international economic system from the original Bretton Woods design in the aftermath of the Second World War to the present time. The volume covers issues concerning monetary cooperation, trade and finance, trade and its linkages, international investment law, intellectual property protection and climate change. By connecting a broad, cross-disciplinary survey of international economic law with contemporary debate over international norm and authority fragmentation, the book demonstrates that this has been essentially a fragmented and multi-focal system of international economic regulation.  Contributors: CL Lim, Bryan Mercurio, Rolf H. Weber, Elisabetta Cervone, Emilios Avgouleas, Douglas W. Arner, Ross P. Buckley, An Hertogen, Junji Nakagawa, Shin-yi Peng, Martins Paparinskis, Anita K. Krug, Julien Chaisse, Juan Ignacio Stampalija, Antoine Martin, Tania Voon, Andrew Mitchell, James Munro, Lorand Bartels, Rafael Leal-Arcas, Andrew Filis.  

     Professor Lim is a member of the Global Advisory Board of the Center for International Investment and Commercial Arbitration which was recently launched in Lahore, Pakistan.  

CL Lim on Geopolitics in International Trade

"Global politicking could harm trade agreements, analysts say"

Malaymail Online

Mayuri Mei Lin

20 March 2015

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 ― Geopolitics often muddle already complex trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) but proper rules in place at a global level could see Asean grow economically and socially, financial analysts said today.

     In a debate titled “Regional Integration & Global Integration: Is there a conflict?”, analysts agreed that the politicking between nations often makes trade, be it regionally or globally, more difficult.

     “Today what hobbles the WTO is not the fact that we're discussing free trade agreements, it's geopolitics,” University of Hong Kong Lim Chin Leng said today, referring to the World Trade Organisation by its acronym WTO.

    Lim added however, that free trade agreements could help nudge nations to address geopolitical issues and to open their doors to more trade... Click here to read the full article.