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East China University of Political Science and Law hosts the 22^nd Annual Asian Law Institute Conference

The East China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPL) hosted the 22^nd Annual Asian Law Institute (ASLI) Conference from 28 to 29 May 2025.

Organised annually by ASLI, the conference provides a platform for legal academics and scholars from Asia and elsewhere around the world to present their research and examine contemporary legal issues of interest to Asian jurisdictions and jurisdictions interested in Asian law. The theme for the conference was “Discourses of Rule of Law: Asia's Narratives”.

The conference was held at the Changning campus of ECUPL, kicking off with the opening ceremony held on 28 May 2025.

Professor Wu Qiaofang, Director of International Exchange Center & Dean of International School, ECUPL, opened the conference by warmly welcoming conference delegates from all over the world (including Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America and South America) to Shanghai and to ECUPL’s beautiful campus.

Joining in to extend his warmest welcome, Professor Guo Weilu, Chairman of University Affairs Committee, ECUPL highlighted that ECUPL had last organised the 3rd ASLI Conference in 2006, and was honoured to once again host the ASLI annual conference and continue ASLI’s longstanding legacy by bringing together scholars, practitioners, and experts from around the world to engage in meaningful dialogues that aim to advance the rule of law, as well as champion justice and equity within our region and beyond.

Continuing with the order of the opening ceremony, Dr. Pareena Srivanit, Dean, Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University, and Chairperson of the ASLI Board of Governors, as well as Associate Professor Kelry Loi, of the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore, and Co-Director of ASLI thanked the ASLI Board of Governors (BOG) for their support for ASLI’s flagship annual conference and importantly, the participants who made this conference and vibrant exchange of ideas possible.

The opening ceremony concluded with a keynote speech “Shanghai's Practice in Building a World-Class Business Environment with Rule of Law as the Guiding Principle” by Mr. Chen Yanfeng, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission.

Prof Luo Peixin, Vice President of ECUPL, attended both the opening ceremony and closing ceremony of the conference together with the members of the ASLI BOG. Furthermore, in his capacity as a member of the ASLI Annual Conference 2025 ECUPL Advisory Board, Prof Luo played an instrumental role in supporting and overseeing the preparations for the event; and he was also the VIP guest at the conference dinner where ECUPL welcomed conference participants from all over the world to Shanghai.

The two-day conference strengthened ties between scholars, from within or outside Asia, who were interested in researching or teaching Asian law. The event presented a wonderful opportunity to discuss ideas on law and law reform in Asia: it provided a forum for outstanding scholarship and demonstrated the collective commitment to advancing knowledge and ideas about law and justice in the diverse and fascinating region. As usual, the programme this year reflected a large range of topics and approaches to law, reflecting the strength and diversity of the member institutions of ASLI. Over 160 legal scholars from leading universities around the world attended the conference, with more than 120 paper presentations organized into 28 specialist panels on subject areas including Environmental Law, Banking and Finance, Criminal Law, Information Technology Law and Legal Education.

After two full days of papers and presentations, the conference came to a close in the evening of 29 May 2025. At the closing ceremony of the 22nd Annual ASLI Conference, the audience were inspired by the Closing Keynote Lecture “Openness and Innovation in Global Governance: Contributions from Asia's Legal Community” delivered by Professor Zhou Hanmin, President of the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association and the Closing Keynote Speech on “Asia’s Role and Contribution to the development of international law in a turbulent world” by Professor Zhao Hong, Former Chairperson of Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Buzzing with anticipation as we look forward to the 23rd Annual ASLI Conference 2026, Dr. Parulian Paidi Aritonang, Dean, Faculty of Law, Universitas Indonesia, informed that the forthcoming conference will be held on 3 June and 4 June 2026 and looks forward to welcoming delegates to Jakarta, Indonesia.

Following ASLI’s tradition, the handover of the BOG (Board of Governors) Chair was carried out in a simple but meaningful ceremony, with Professor Wu Qiaofang (ECUPL) incoming Chairperson of the ASLI BOG for 2026, taking over the Chair from the current Chairperson from Chulalongkorn University (represented by Dr. Poomsiri Dumrongvute, Vice Dean, Innovation and International Affairs.)

The closing ceremony ended with closing remarks from Professor Wu Qiaofang (ECUPL) and Associate Professor Kelry Loi (Co-Director, ASLI). Professor Wu expressed her gratitude to all the presenters, ASLI for their close partnership, and the ECUPL administrative staff and student team for their dedication and contribution towards the conference. Associate Professor Loi summed up the significant points raised in the speeches of Prof Zhou, Prof Zhao and Dr Parulian; and chimed in to share his appreciation to ECUPL for hosting the annual conference, and to thank everyone for their contribution and participation to another successful ASLI conference.


The 23^nd ASLI Annual Conference 2026 will be hosted by Faculty of Law Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta-Indonesia on 3 and 4 June 2026, with the theme “Empowering Asia’s Rise: Legal Knowledge for Sustainability, Justice and Regional Integration”.


News feature in China Daily Asian lawyers, scholars urged to enhance global exchanges - Chinadaily.com.cn


Welcome Address by the ASLI Co-Directors


Closing Remarks by the ASLI Co-Directors


ASLI Opening Ceremony
Link to be updated

ASLI Closing Ceremony
Link to be updated