Two Decades of China in the WTO: The View from China

Wednesday, December 1, 2021
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM (Eastern Daylight Time)

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About the Event

China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) two decades ago was hailed in many Western circles as a significant achievement for international law and the rule of law. China reformed many of its laws and practices, encouraged its lawyers and academics to develop expertise in the WTO regime, and became an experienced user of WTO dispute settlement. Fast forward to the present, we find the WTO and multilateral trade system in crisis, its contribution to the rule of law regarded with skepticism both in China and in other leading WTO member states such as the United States. Professor Manjiao Chi of the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing and Professor Kathleen Claussen of the University of Miami Law School will discuss the current attitudes within China towards the WTO, particularly when compared to regional trade agreements initiatives and alternatives to WTO dispute settlement; whether China still regards the WTO as important; and what WTO reforms China wants.

About the speaker

Manjiao Chi is professor and founding director of the Center for International Economic Law and Policy at the Law School of the University of International Business and Economics. His recent work focuses on international economic law and policy, dispute settlement, and China’s practice of international law. Professor Chi is deputy chair of the UNCITRAL Academic Forum on ISDS, Standing Council member of the Chinese Society of International Law, and co-chair of the American Society of International Law Asia Pacific Interest Group. He has been an expert consultant on several of China’s WTO disputes and investment agreement negotiations. 

About the commentator

Kathleen Claussen is associate professor at the University of Miami School of Law and non-resident senior fellow at the Georgetown Institute of International Economic Law. She is the author of more than thirty articles and essays concerning trade, investment, and international dispute settlement, and related research areas. She serves on the Executive Council and Executive Committee of the American Society of International Law and as co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of International Economic Law. Prior to joining the academy, Professor Claussen was associate general counsel at the Office of the US Trade Representative and legal counsel at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague covering disputes between countries and investment law arbitrations.