Legal cooperation between China and Germany - a success story

07/23/2024

The cooperation between China and Germany initiated by the Hanns-Seidel-Foundation (HSS) with a wide variety of focal points makes an important contribution to peace, democracy and development worldwide. An essential part of this work is the German-Chinese legal cooperation, which has been taking place within the framework of the German-Chinese Rule of Law Dialogue since 2000. The cooperation aims to facilitate an in-depth exchange of legal knowledge and practices and thus strengthen the legal cultures of both countries.

Exchange at the China University of Politics and Law (CUPL)

HSS

The cooperation between the HSS and Chinese and German lawyers began more than a decade ago and has continued to develop ever since. The key figures include both academics and practicing lawyers from China and Germany, who regularly take part in workshops, seminars and conferences. Since then, they have made a significant contribution to a deeper understanding and exchange of legal issues.

The Jura Cooperation has set itself the following goals:

Promoting the principles of the rule of law: Building/strengthening the understanding of basic principles of the rule of law through workshops, seminars and research projects.
Exchange of expertise: German and Chinese lawyers share their expertise and experience through regular meetings and conferences.
Strengthening legal networks and promoting young talent: Young criminal law academics in particular are networked with each other online and offline through targeted events.

The exchange covers a wide range of legal topics, from property law in constitutional law, juvenile criminal law, criminal law dogmatics and comparative criminal law to modern and specific challenges such as internet criminal law and digitalization. The focus is on topics such as data protection, civil rights and ethical issues. The cooperation not only serves the academic exchange, but also the practical application of legal principles in an international context and the feeding of legal facts for legislative projects into politics and judicial bodies, as in the case of the cooperation with Prof. CHENG Jie at the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS). This strengthens the rule of law in both countries and promotes mutual recognition of legal standards and practices.

Intensive Discussions about Criminal Compliance at Peking University 2023

HSS

The perspectives of the participating lawyers clearly show how wide-ranging and far-reaching the cooperation is. Prof. XIE Libin, Head of the Chinese-German Institute of Law at the University of Politics and Law (CUPL), emphasizes the reliability and collegial exchange: "International understanding is important. When you meet, you realize that the other person is like you."

Prof. SU Jiang of Peking University emphasizes the importance of "mutual trust, professionalism to enhance the mutual understanding of the legal systems of the two countries and the rule of law".

For Ass. Prof. HUANG He from the University of Politics and Law (CUPL), both professional expertise and cultural understanding are important: "Working with German lawyers provides a deep insight into the German legal system and its intricacies. German lawyers can not only clarify legal issues, but also take cultural nuances and particularities into account." These personal experiences illustrate/underline that the cooperation was carried out with great commitment and appreciation on both sides.

Prof. Cheng Jie, UCASS

HSS

The work within the framework of the Rule of Law Dialogue has not only contributed to dialog and better mutual cultural understanding, but has also produced a new generation of lawyers who are equipped with in-depth expertise in international legal standards and the rule of law. Examples of successful projects include the exchange on juvenile criminal law and the founding of the Young Forum for Criminal Law Studies. The successes of legal cooperation provide a solid foundation for future projects and expanded cooperation between Germany and China. In view of global challenges and the need for constant further development of the legal framework, this cooperation is proving to be increasingly important. Ass. Prof. HUANG He states that "through constructive exchange and dialog, China and Germany can contribute to developing innovative and responsible approaches to social control that respect the needs of their citizens while contributing to the security and stability of their societies".

Also students are involved in the exchanges

HSS

Cooperation in the legal field must therefore continue to serve as a model for successful international legal cooperation. It helps to strengthen relations between Germany and China, promote mutual learning and maintain a dialog between the two countries on important legal and social issues - with the aim of developing a better understanding of and respect for international legal norms and practices.