Section of International Law: China Committee

Section of International Law:
China Committee

Mission Statement

This committee supports ABA members with interests in China-related legal matters. Committee work, including programs, both in the U.S. and in Greater China, includes review, analysis, comment, and information-sharing on matters of law, legal practice, and related policy. Within Greater China, the China Committee works to facilitate links and understanding between US and local legal practitioners and law students, and to further the development of the rule of law, including implementation by China of its WTO commitments.

Message From The Co-Chairs

On behalf of our leadership team, welcome to the China Committee homepage. We're proud that the combined efforts of our leaders and members caused the Section of International Law to bestow the "Best Overall Committee" award on the China Committee for the 2006-2007 ABA year. We hope that you will take the time to explore the rich content on this page, including past editions of our award-winning newsletter, the China Law Reporter, program materials from past Committee programs, Year-in-Review articles, City Survival Guides, China Law Research Guides, and online resources.

If you are not a member of the Section of International Law, we encourage you to join. If you're not a U.S.-qualified lawyer, don't worry--more than 10% of Section members are lawyers licensed in jurisdictions other than the United States. You can still join the ABA and the Section of International Law as an associate member, and still be a leader in the Section, all without being a U.S.-qualified lawyer.

If you are a member of the Section but not a member of the China Committee, please consider joining. As our Mission Statement (above) states, we support Section members with interests in China-related legal matters and work to facilitate links between US and Greater China and an understanding of the many unique legal issues in Greater China. The China Committee is a great place to observe, analyze, discuss, and participate in fast-moving legal developments in Greater China. Membership in the Section of International Law includes free membership in as many committees as one would choose. We especially encourage lawyers from Greater China to join the Section and the China Committee.

We have some interesting projects lined up for the 2008-2009 ABA year, including a working group on agriculture and food safety issues. We will hold several CLE and non-CLE teleconferences on topical legal issues throughout the year, and we're looking to expand our live program offerings in the U.S. and China. We encourage you to join our projects and attend our programs. We also encourage you to contribute to the China Law Reporter and to our Year-in-Review article. Return to this site often for updates.

If you have any questions or comments about the China Committee, please contact us. Thank you for visiting the China Committee homepage.

Regards,

Elizabeth Cole and Adam Bobrow, Co-Chairs, China Committee, ABA Section of International Law

Program Announcement

Program Title: China 2009: Gazing Into the Crystal Ball

Program Date: March 27, 2009

Program Description: Wondering how the economic downturn is impacting legal and business developments in China? Curious as to what is happening to China's once sizzingly hot real estate sector? Bewildered as to how employee lay-offs are being handled by foreign-invested companies facing decreasing demand for their products? And, what about those unfortunate companies who may need to file for bankruptcy of their China operations - how are they likely to fare? What developments have been taking place with China's new Anti-Monopoly Law and should we expect changes in light of the global economic downturn?

Program Audio:

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China 2009: Gazing into the Crystal Ball (mp3)

Committe Related Section Publication

China Law Deskbook: A Legal Guide for Foreign-Invested Enterprises, Second Edition
China has developed, and continues to develop, a legal system from scratch in just over 20 years. So much has happened since the publication of the f... more