A seminar on the training of talents for foreign-related laws and the setting up of international law studies was held at the Western China Science and Technology Innovation Harbour of Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) on Dec 23.

Jointly organized by the Chinese Society of International Law and XJTU, the meeting was attended by government officials as well as experts and scholars from universities nationwide. An initiative to set up international law studies was released after the meeting.

Shan Wenhua, assistant president of XJTU and dean of the School of Law at XJTU, presides over the opening ceremony of the seminar. 

Addressing the seminar, Wang Shuguo, president of XJTU, said the rule of law is the strategic foundation of a modernized country, which required a modern legal system.

He said that in the context of a technological revolution and industrial transformation, universities must take on more responsibility, proactively respond to challenges, and contribute to the nation's modernization drive.

Wang Shuguo, president of XJTU, addresses the seminar.

Zhang Aining, vice-president of the Chinese Society of International Law, said that in the face of the changes in the international landscape, China is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges.

Talents are the key to participating in the reform and construction of the global governance system, Zhang said. Currently, the training of talents in foreign-related law is far from meeting the actual needs in the country, and there is a severe shortage of high-end talents in international law, he added.

Luo Zhiyong, an official from the Supreme People's Court, said that training a team of talents in foreign-related laws is an important measure to promote opening-up to the outside world, and an inevitable requirement for promoting reform of the global governance system.

During the meeting, experts and scholars discussed the historical opportunities and challenges in the setting up of a discipline focusing on international law, as well as rolling out innovative measures to cultivate more talents specializing in foreign-related law.

Participants pose for a group photo.