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Author	Assoc Prof hanyichou
Organisation/Institution	East China University of Political Science and Law
Country	CHINA
Panel	International Investment Law
Title	Balancing Investment Protection and Public Health: Legal Innovation in China’s Bilateral Investment Treaties for Sustainable Development
Abstract	International investment has become a vital driver of Asia’s economic growth and technological progress. Yet, the expansion of capital flows also challenges governments’ ability to regulate in areas such as public health and environmental protection. This paper traces the evolution of Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) and observes that early treaties often prioritized investor protection over public interest, narrowing states’ regulatory space. In response to rising public awareness and recent global health crises, new-generation BITs increasingly include public health and sustainability clauses. These provisions reflect a shift toward balanced governance—empowering states to act decisively during health emergencies while maintaining fair treatment for investors. Drawing on comparative experiences from Asian and global practices, this study explores how China and other Asian economies can embed public health safeguards and sustainability objectives within their investment agreements. Such an approach aligns with the broader regional goal of promoting sustainable, equitable growth under the rule of law. Ultimately, the paper argues that harmonizing international investment law with public health and sustainability policies is essential for Asia’s rise. Through legal innovation, institutional capacity-building, and regional cooperation, Asian countries can foster an investment environment that supports both economic resilience and social well-being, advancing the vision of sustainability, justice, and integration across the region.
Biography	Associate Professor at the School of International Law, East China University of Political Science and Law; Master's Supervisor; Deputy Director of the International Exchange Office; and Deputy Dean of the International Education College. Graduated with a Ph.D. from East China University of Political Science and Law. Postdoctoral researcher at the Law School of Tsinghua University. Former Deputy Dean of the Graduate School. Focuses on teaching and research in international trade law and international public law. Serves as a council member of the Shanghai International Relations Society, a council member of the Legal Translation Research Committee of the Shanghai Law Society, a member of the International Security Law Research Committee of the Shanghai Law Society, and a member of the WTO Law Research Committee of the Shanghai Law Society. Recipient of multiple Young Excellent Paper Awards from the Chinese Society of International Economic Law. Recognized as a "High-Output Author in Chinese Jurisprudence" in 2015. Visiting scholar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2017. Included in the "Shanghai Youth Legal Talent Pool" in 2021.