During a recent trip to China, the American Bar Association took a historic step forward with that nation’s lawyers’ association.

As described in an audio interview and ABA news release, I had the honor of signing a ground-breaking memorandum of understanding negotiated with the All China Lawyers Association this past year.

The agreement is intended to deepen our associations’ relationship on cooperative projects, promote greater exchange among members, and serve the public and the legal profession by promoting justice, professional excellence and respect for the rule of law.

Within a few days, there was an exciting example of what such cooperation can produce. Helped by the ABA Center on Children and the Law, the two associations hosted a joint program on issues involving youth at risk.

The ABA has had many dealings with the 110,000-member All China Lawyers Association, including a memorandum of understanding signed by Jerry Shestack when he was ABA president in 1997-98. Other ABA presidents have continued the dialogue, and since 2002, the ABA’s Asia Law Initiative has helped China devise a more open public hearing process on environmental matters, and helped train public interest lawyers.

Youth at risk is a centerpiece of this year’s ABA priorities. At the program on Chinese juveniles, I had the opportunity to give a speech, but I was most struck by how lawyers from both countries saw many parallels in our two nations’ experiences.

Before leaving Beijing, I also met with some of the ABA’s most far-flung members—about 40 American lawyers based in Beijing—during a luncheon sponsored by the Section of International Law. Among those in attendance were Chinese lawyers excited to learn that they could become associate members of the ABA.

Most exciting for me was the shared energy of two cultures, and two bars, coming together.

China is a nation of enormous industry where economic growth is rapid. Our societies as a whole, and our legal communities, will increasingly work together. With the new agreement to guide the two bars, I believe my week in China is the sign of a new and mutually beneficial era of international legal cooperation