Third "Salon on Country and Area Studies and the Rule of Law in Foreign-Related Economic and Trade" and Seminar on High-Standard Support for Compliance in Corporate Overseas Expansion Successfully Held at ZISU

On June 14, 2026, the third "Salon on Country and Area Studies and the Rule of Law in Foreign-Related Economic and Trade" and the Seminar on High-Standard Support for Compliance in Corporate Overseas Expansion were successfully held at Zhejiang International Studies University (ZISU). The event was hosted by the School of International Business (Academy of Foreign-Related Rule of Law under the Belt and Road Initiative) and the Institute for Advanced Studies on New International Relations (BRICS Special Economic Zones Cooperation Institute), both of Zhejiang International Studies University, and co-organized by the International Economic Law Research Association of Zhejiang Law Society, the Research Center for Foreign-Related Rule of Law of Zhejiang Law Society, and the Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Trade Remedy Response. The Latin America Institute of Zhejiang International Studies University and the Foreign-Related Rule of Law Student Association served as supporting organizers.

The seminar was themed "Research on Hotspots and Difficult Issues in Corporate Compliance in International Business Operations". Participants included: Yao Min, Vice President of Zhejiang International Studies University; Xu Jie, Full-time Vice President of Zhejiang Law Society; Shen Xiaoming, President of Huzhou Intermediate People's Court, First-Class Senior Judge, and Vice President of the International Economic Law Research Association of Zhejiang Law Society (hereinafter referred to as "the Research Association"); Mao Yousheng, Senior Editor of the Law and International Editorial Department of the People's Publishing House; Liu Hongbing, Division Director of the Secretariat Office of the Office for the Comprehensive Rule of Law under the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the CPC; Chen An, Director of the Trade Remedy Investigation Bureau of the Department of Commerce of the Zhejiang Province; Lu Haisheng, former Second-Level Inspector of Hangzhou Customs; Hu Gang, Director of the Legal Affairs Department of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Zhejiang Provincial Committee; Wu Ka, Vice President of the Research Association, Director of the African Legal Affairs Committee, Dean and Professor of the Law School of Zhejiang Normal University; Ge Yibo, Director of the Institutional Innovation Division of Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce (Hangzhou Area of China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone Management Committee, Hangzhou Municipal Grain and Material Reserve Bureau); Mei Xuefeng, Dean of the School of International Business (Academy of Foreign-Related Rule of Law under the Belt and Road Initiative) of Zhejiang International Studies University; Liu Yong, Vice President of the Research Association, Director of the Digital Trade Rules Committee, and Professor at the Law School of Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics; Bi Ying, Vice President of the Research Association and Associate Professor at Guanghua Law School of Zhejiang University; Miao Xinhao, Vice President of the Research Association, Director of the International Investment Law Committee, President of the Journal Publishing House and Associate Professor of Law at Wenzhou University; Cui Haiyan, Vice President of the Research Association, Vice President of the Lawyers Association of Zhejiang, and Deputy Director of Zhejiang Brighteous Law Firm; Zhang Jianjun, Vice President of the Research Association, Deputy Chief Legal Counsel and Director of the Legal and Compliance Center of the Zhejiang Provincial Seaport Investment & Operation Group Co. Ltd., viz. Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group Co. Ltd.. Scholars, experts, and practitioners from universities, government agencies, judicial bodies, law firms, industry associations, and enterprises across Zhejiang Province and beyond gathered together to engage in this event.

The first session was the leaders' speech, hosted by Professor Chen Liqiang, Associate Dean of the School of International Business (Academy of Foreign-Related Rule of Law under the Belt and Road Initiative) at Zhejiang International Studies University, President of the International Economic Law Research Association of Zhejiang Law Society, Director of the Research Center for Foreign-Related Rule of Law of Zhejiang Law Society, and Director of the Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Trade Remedy Response.

Professor Yao Min, Vice President of Zhejiang International Studies University, delivered the welcome address first. He noted that as the only public foreign-language university in Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang International Studies University adheres to a development framework guided by regional and country studies and grounded in foreign languages and literatures, fostering an interdisciplinary and integrated academic landscape. He pointed out that we hold the key of language, which can unlock the door to the world; we have the lamp of country-specific studies, which can illuminate the path forward; and we wield the sword of foreign-related rule of law, which can safeguard the interests of enterprises. He also pointed out that this seminar, focusing on "High-Standard Support for Corporate Outbound Compliance," addresses pressing issues ranging from export controls to intellectual property, from supply chain compliance to digital services law. Each topic addresses the core challenges and pain points faced by enterprises going global, making the event both timely and profoundly significant. 

Xu Jie, Full-time Vice President of Zhejiang Law Society, delivered a speech. He pointed out that the International Economic Law Research Association has become an important think tank safeguarding enterprises as they go global. Noting that foreign-related economic and trade rules are undergoing significant changes and that the geopolitical risks faced by overseas-bound enterprises are rising sharply, he emphasized that the development of foreign-related rule of law is both an urgent priority and a long-term necessity. Vice President Xu Jie put forward three key suggestions: First, focus on narrowing the "supply-demand gap" by coordinating efforts to enhance corporate compliance in international operations and strengthen legal protection of overseas interests; second, focus on reinforcing "collaborative talent cultivation" by continuously strengthening the joint training and team building of "highly competent and practice-oriented" foreign-related rule of law professionals; third, focus on promoting "theoretical innovation" by exploring and establishing an independent knowledge system of foreign-related rule of law with distinctive Zhejiang characteristics. 

Shen Xiaoming, President of Huzhou Intermediate People's Court, First-Class Senior Judge, and Vice President of the International Economic Law Research Association of Zhejiang Law Society, delivered a speech. He noted that Zhejiang's export-oriented economy is highly dynamic, with a large number of local enterprises accelerating their expansion into overseas markets. As Vice President of the Research Association, he has had the privilege of witnessing and participating in its standardized operations and innovative development in recent years. As a member of the judicial system, he deeply feels that the development of foreign-related rule of law is not only a theoretical endeavor but also a practical one. He expressed the hope that this event would serve as an opportunity to further deepen exchanges and cooperation among the International Economic Law Research Association of Zhejiang Law Society, the Foreign-Related Judicial Exchange Research Association of Zhejiang Law Society, the court system, and the Academy of Foreign-Related Rule of Law under the Belt and Road Initiative of Zhejiang International Studies University.

Liu Hongbing, Division Director of the Secretariat Office of the Office for the Comprehensive Rule of Law under the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the CPC, delivered a speech. Director Liu expressed three points: first, we should deepen the tracing of origins and unswervingly forge ahead along the path of law-based Zhejiang pioneered by President Xi Jinping; second, we should focus on development aspirations and work together to build a highland of legal civilization that is a window for demonstration and guided by rules; third, we should strengthen strategic research and strive to provide intellectual support and talent assurance for Zhejiang's high-level opening-up and high-level foreign-related rule of law construction.

Chen An, Director of the Trade Remedy Investigation Bureau of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce, delivered a speech. He pointed out that international trade frictions are now characterized by four major trends: a surge in the number of cases, a wider range of countries involved, an expansion of affected products, and increasingly diverse tactics. He noted that the Trade Remedy Investigation Bureau of the Provincial Department of Commerce and Zhejiang International Studies University jointly established the Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Trade Remedy Response. Over the past three years, the Center has achieved remarkable results. Moving forward, it will continue to focus on key areas such as risk early warning and rights protection, strengthen cooperation with think tanks including Zhejiang International Studies University and Zhejiang Law Society, support enterprises in achieving safe and steady global expansion, and comprehensively enhance the level of compliant international operations of enterprises in Zhejiang Province.

Professor Mei Xuefeng, Dean of the School of International Business (Academy of Foreign-Related Rule of Law under the Belt and Road Initiative) at Zhejiang International Studies University, delivered a speech. He noted that the School, leveraging its interdisciplinary resources in regional and country studies, international economics and trade, cross-border e-commerce, and foreign-related rule of law, organized this conference. The event serves not only as a concrete step to fulfill the School's social service functions but also as a bridge to foster high-quality connectivity among practical departments, research platforms, and market entities. As Zhejiang-based enterprises accelerate their global expansion amidst increasingly complex and volatile policy and legal environments across different countries, the demand for corporate outbound compliance and legal risk prevention in foreign-related economic and trade matters is growing rapidly. The School has been actively promoting social service projects and talent cultivation to support Zhejiang enterprises in going global, achieving a series of landmark results: continuously improving its services in "regional and country studies and the rule of law in foreign-related economic and trade"; strengthening "cross-border e-commerce training and county-level services"; and consistently focusing on cultivating high-caliber, internationalized, and application-oriented business talents.

The second session was the appointment ceremony for members of the Research Association, hosted by Professor Chen Liqiang. Wu Ka, Bi Ying, Miao Xinhao, Cui Haiyan, and Zhang Jianjun, Vice Presidents of the Research Association, came to the stage in turn to present appointment certificates to the newly appointed members. 

The third session was the book donation ceremony, hosted by Associate Dean Chen Liqiang. The People's Publishing House donated books to the School of International Business (Academy of Foreign-Related Rule of Law under the Belt and Road Initiative) at Zhejiang International Studies University. Dean Mei Xuefeng presented a donation certificate to Mao Yousheng, Academic Advisor to the International Economic Law Research Association of Zhejiang Law Society, Senior Editor and Legal Researcher of the Law and International Editorial Department of the People's Publishing House.

Mao Yousheng, Senior Editor, shared his reflections, noting that "foreign-related rule of law" is a signature concept of the Xi Jinping thought on the rule of law, and the theory of foreign-related rule of law represents an original contribution to this thought. To further support the development of the rule of law on foreign-related economic and trade, the People's Publishing House has launched the "Regional and Country Studies and Foreign-Related Economic and Trade Rule of Law Series". He expressed the hope that the Research Association will continue to focus on the major strategic direction of "regional and country studies and foreign-related economic and trade rule of law", making sustained efforts in theoretical innovation, practical exploration, and talent cultivation, and striving to achieve more landmark results.

The fourth session was the expert discussion, which was divided into two halves. The first half was hosted by Professor Wu Ka. 

Speakers in the first half included: Wang Xiaoxia, Member of the Procuratorial Committee of the Zhejiang Provincial People's Procuratorate; Lu Haisheng, Academic Advisor to the International Economic Law Research Association of Zhejiang Law Society; Bi Ying, Vice President of the Research Association and Associate Professor at Guanghua Law School of Zhejiang University; Guo Fang, Standing Director of the Research Association; Lan Lihong, Professor at the School of International Business (Academy of Foreign-Related Rule of Law under the Belt and Road Initiative) of Zhejiang International Studies University and Deputy Director of the Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Trade Remedy Response; Dong Feng, Director of the Southeast Asian Legal Affairs Committee of the Research Association; Gao Yang, Director of the Latin American Legal Affairs Committee of the Research Association; Chen Hao, Deputy Director of the Research Center for Foreign-Related Rule of Law of Zhejiang Law Society and Lecturer at the Law School of Zhejiang University of Technology; Shen Wenwen, Deputy Director of the European and American Legal Affairs Committee of the Research Association; Li Jingpu, Deputy Director of the International Investment Law Committee of the Research Association and Lecturer at the Law School of Wenzhou University; Hu Zongling, Head of the International Legal Affairs Department of Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd., and Attorney; and Qi Qing, Head of Beijing Dowway & Partners (Hangzhou) Law Firm. They delivered thematic presentations in turn, entitled respectively: "Thoughts on Strengthening the Protection of Legitimate Overseas Interests by Procuratorial Authorities — From the Perspective of Criminal Case Handling" "Hotspots and Difficult Issues in Corporate Compliance in International Operations and Suggestions for the Cultivation of Foreign-Related Rule of Law Talents" "Reflections on the Practical Directions for Optimizing Foreign-Related Legal Services under the Framework of the 15th Five-Year Plan" "Strengthening the Foundation with Talent, Building a Legal Shield — Supporting Zhejiang's High-Level Opening-Up" "Thoughts on Supply Chain Compliance Risk Prevention in BRICS Countries in the Context of Great-Power Rivalry" "Practical Analysis of Cross-Border M&A in China-Thailand" "Key Compliance Points for Acquiring a Mexican Company" "Exploring the Path to Cultivating High-Caliber, Practice-Oriented Foreign-Related Rule of Law Talents — From the Perspective of the LRW Course" "Key Compliance Points for Cross-Border Data Transfers" "New Trends in Intellectual Property ‘Long-Arm Jurisdiction' and Compliance Responses of Chinese Enterprises" "Outbound Legal and Compliance: Huayou's Practices and Challenges" "Considerations of Geopolitical Factors and Transaction Structure Adjustments in Semiconductor Company Acquisitions of European Targets in Response to Host Country National Security Reviews". Hu Gang, Director of the Legal Affairs Department of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Zhejiang Provincial Committee, provided insightful comments on the thematic presentations as the discussant.

The second half of the expert discussion was chaired by Professor Liu Yong, and attended by Cui Haiyan, Vice President of the International Economic Law Research Association of Zhejiang Law Society; Zhang Jianjun, Vice President of the Research Association; Dong Yupeng, Deputy Director of the European and American Legal Affairs Committee of the Research Association and Professor at the School of Media and Law of NingboTech University; Jiang Huiqin, Deputy Director of the International Investment Law Committee of the Research Association and Associate Academic Dean of the School of Law and Humanities of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University; Lin Fang, Standing Director of the Research Association; Wang Xiaoming, Deputy Director of the Latin American Legal Affairs Committee of the Research Association; Wang Minzhi, Deputy Director of the Digital Trade Rules Committee of the Research Association; Ge Xiang, Director of the Research Association; You Tinghui, Director of the Research Association; Sun Deng, Deputy Director of the Southeast Asian Legal Affairs Committee of the Research Association; Qian Zhenqiu, Deputy Secretary-General of the Research Association and Lecturer at the Law School of Zhejiang Normal University; and Wang Liwen, Director of the Research Association, who delivered thematic presentations entitled "Key Points and Challengies in Building a Compliance Management System for Chinese Enterprises Going Global from the Perspective of ISO 37301" "Data Compliance Issues for Chinese New Energy Vehicles Going Global" "Intellectual Property Compliance Issues in International Business Operations" "Legal Risks and Preventive Approaches for Chinese Online Micro-Dramas Going Global" "New Trends in Export Controls and Compliance Practices in the New Landscape" "Risk Prevention and International Compliance for Enterprises Going Global under the New Situation" "Paths and Risk Prevention for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Going Global" "Export Control Compliance" "Essentials of Supply Chain Compliance in the Context of Two-Way Regulation" "New Trends in Legal Compliance for Chinese Enterprises Going Global via Singapore to Europe and the Americas" "Field Study on Enterprises Going Global and Foreign-Related Rule of Law" "The Impact of the EU Digital Services Act on Chinese Platform Enterprises Going Global", respectively. Miao Xinhao, Vice President of the Research Association, provided insightful comments as the discussant .

Finally, Associate Dean Chen Liqiang delivered a concluding summary of the seminar with three reflections. First, the seminar focused on the strategic needs of corporate compliance in international operations and achieved its expected goals. Second, the seminar forged important consensus on coordinating the advancement of high-level institutional opening-up and high-standard foreign-related rule of law. Third, leveraging theoretical and practical research on corporate compliance in international operations as a key driver, the strategic research on "regional and country studies and the rule of law in foreign-related economic and trade" and the application of its outcomes should be continuously deepened.

The event concluded with great success.