On December 14, 2019, "high end forum of China's international economic law: changing international economic and trade rules and China's response", organized by Yao Meizhen Law foundation of Wuhan University, Wuhan University Law School and Research Institute of International Law, Wuhan University Center of Oversea Investment Law research and Editorial Department of Wuhan University international law review was held in the 120 lecturer hall. More than 100 representatives from national functional departments, universities and well-known law firms attended the conference.

Professor Qi Tong presided over the opening ceremony. Professor Yu Jingsong, Li Qunxing, the vice president of Hubei higher People’s Court, Mr. Ai Li, dean Feng Guo, director Xiao Yongping successively addressed the conference.

On behalf of the Yao Meizhen Law Foundation, professor Yu firstly expressed thanks to the guests. Then, he introduced the basic situation of Yaomei law foundation. He said that the foundation was committed to promoting the development of teaching and scientific research in international economic law. Professor Yu also thanked Wuhan University Law School and the Research Institute of international law of Wuhan University for their strong support to the conference.

Vice President Li Qunxing shared three opinions around the theme of the Forum. Firstly, we should accurately get wise to the trend of the reform of international economic and trade rules. Secondly, we should actively explore the countermeasures for the reconstruction of international economic and trade rules. Thirdly, we should adhere to the socialist system with Chinese characteristics.

Mr. Ai Li pointed out that the WTO was facing a crisis and the business economy in Hubei had been greatly affected, which could be regarded as a good opportunity for scholars and experts.

Dean Feng Guo said that 2019 was not only the 70th anniversary of the founding of new China, but also the 40th anniversary of the restoration of legal education of Wuhan University. He said that the law school of Wuhan University would always bear in mind Mr. Yao's entrustment, strive to make the international economic law education better, and promote the reform of China's rule of law, especially the international economic law science.

On behalf of the Research Institute of International Law of Wuhan University, director Xiao Yongping extended a warm welcome to the participants and expressed heartfelt thanks for their long-term support. According to what professor Xiao said, changes in the international economic and trade rules would become more and more frequent, which may exactly promote the innovations. Besides that, the changing relations, rules and values would guide the development direction of the rules of international economic law.

The donation ceremony was finally held. Lawyer Yu Ping, a partner of Grandall (Shenzhen) Law Firm, handed over the check of RMB 1 million which was donated by Guohao (Shenzhen) Law Firm to the foundation to Mr.Zhang Qinglin, the secretary general of the foundation.

The forum after the opening ceremony was divided into three units.

The topic of unit1 was "opportunities and challenges in the reform of international trade rules system". Yang Guohua, a professor of Tsinghua University, delivered a lecture on "prospects and reflections in the post WTO era". Professor Kong Qingjiang, the dean of China University of Political Science and Law School of International Law, delivered a lecture on "WTO reform: Will there be a third option other than a US withrawal and a China expansion". Professor He Xiaoyong delivered a lecture on "restructuring rules of international services trade and China's countermeasures". Professor Gong Bohua delivered a lecture on "the construction of international rules of cross-border e-commerce or digital trade: opportunities and challenges". Associate professor Hu Jianguo delivered a lecture on "the reform of international trade rules system: in the perspective of international competitiveness of enterprise". Professor Zuo Haicong, professor Li Xueping commented on their reports,

The topic of the unit 2 was "The reform of international investment rules system and dispute resolution". The host was professor Xu Qianfei. Associate professor Liang Danni delivered a lecture on "ISDS standing appeal mechanism: proposal and assumption of China plan". Associate professor Xiao Jun delivered a lecture on "Divergence, reference and compromise of ISDS reform plan". Professor Liu Jingdong delivered a lecture on "An analysis of the Singapore Convention". Professor Qi Tong delivered a lecture on "Opportunities, difficulties and solutions of international investment dispute mediation mechanism". Director Wen Xiantao, professor Zhang Guang commented on the reports.

The topic of the unit3 was "Opportunities and challenges in the international financial rules system". Associate professor He Yan was the host. Professor Li Renzhen delivered a lecture on "Global financial governance system reform and China's role". Professor Liao Fan delivered a lecture on "Reform of global financial governance system: international trends and China's position". Professor Han Long delivered a lecture on "Several models of the development and change of international financial rules". Mr. Zhu Mianmao delivered a lecture on "Financial innovation and countermeasures of Hainan free trade port". Professor Yang Song, professor Zhang Qinglin commented on their reports.

At the closing ceremony, professor Yu Jinsong spoke highly of the conference. Professor Yu thought that it was a once-in-a-century opportunity for China to witness the changes of international economic and trade rules. He suggested that China should have its own plan under the circumstances of great changes. The most important thing was to further promote the policy of reform and opening up.

The conference ended up with warm applause of the guests and students.

Edited by Su Yi & Wu Liuqing