Southwest University of Political Science and Law Establishes Institute and School of Foreign-Related Rule of Law

On September 19, Southwest University of Political Science and Law (SWUPL) held an unveiling ceremony for its Institute for Foreign-Related Rule of Law and School of Foreign-Related Rule of Law, alongside the 2026 Symposium on Building China’s Foreign-Related Rule-of-Law System.

The unveiling ceremony. Photo courtesy of Southwest University of Political Science and Law.

SWUPL President Lin Wei said the newly established institute would place academic research at its core. It will undertake collaborative research on foreign-related legislation, the legal framework for the extraterritorial application of Chinese law, international commercial dispute resolution mechanisms and the protection of overseas interests, with the aim of producing findings that have theoretical depth and value for policymaking.

On education, Lin said the university would strengthen its four-part training model combining law, foreign languages, regional and country studies, and practical skills. It will connect classroom teaching with court proceedings, textbooks with cases, and faculty members with legal practitioners. The aim is to train professionals who understand international treaties and can handle a range of cross-border legal matters.

Presentation of research findings. Photo courtesy of Southwest University of Political Science and Law.

Several research and teaching publications on foreign-related rule of law were presented at the event. They included Report on Reforming SWUPL’s Training Model for Foreign-Related Legal Professionals, a series of textbooks on foreign-related rule of law, and Report on the Development of Foreign-Related Legal Services Clusters in China.

During the keynote session, experts and scholars from universities, research institutions, the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and international organisations spoke on developments in the theory and practice of foreign-related rule of law. Four parallel forums brought together scholars and legal practitioners to discuss training models for foreign-related legal professionals, related legal theory, emerging issues in foreign-related maritime and shipping law, and practical legal issues.