English version by XU Xinyuan(Wayne)

On Nov.18, 2022, the departure ceremony for the first batch of students of Overseas Legal Practice Project for Hundred ECUPL Students was successfully held in Shanghai LANDING Law Offices. The project was jointly sponsored by LANDING and East China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPL). More than ten leaders and representatives from ECUPL, Hongkou District Bureau of Justice, Shanghai Bar Association, arbitration institutions, notary public offices attended this event. The guests present were Mr. HAN Qiang, vice-president of ECUPL, Ms. WANG Lin, Director of the Hongkou District Bureau of Justice, Mr. PAN Shuhong, vice-chairman of Shanghai Bar Association, Mr. DU Tao, Dean of ECUPL School of International Law, Mr. YU Xun, director of ECUPL Division of social cooperation, Ms. WANG Meili, deputy director of ECUPL Division of social cooperation, Ms. HOU Yuqin, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of ECUPL School of International Law, Mr. WU Jin, Secretary of the CPC Committee of ECUPL School of Public Legal Service, Ms. YU Zijin, Associate counsel of Hong Kong International Arbitration Center(HKIAC), Ms. ZHU Ruohan, deputy director of research department of Shanghai Arbitration Commission(SHAC), Ms. DU Lijun, Director of public affairs of Shanghai International Arbitration Center(SHIAC), Mr. ZHANG Lei, director of Shanghai Zhangjiang Notary Public Office. Mr. LIU Yixing, Managing Partner of Shanghai Landing Law Offices, Mr. YIN Jun, Executive Director of Shanghai Landing Law Offices and over 10 senior partners of LANDING also attended the ceremony and the seminar, along with the first batch of 4 ECUPL students, Ms. LI Siyi, Mr. ZHONG Zheng, Ms. FU Rongrong and Mr. ZHANG Nan.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Mr. LIU Yixing delivered a welcome speech. He spoke highly of the historical and contemporary significance of “Overseas Legal Practice Project for Hundred ECUPL Students” (“the Project”), revealing its great goal of cultivating high-quality law talents familiar with foreign laws, and pointing out that the Project fits the propositions of the era, such as “Belt and Road” initiative and overseas investment strategy, and gives lawyers specially handling foreign-related matters a greater international stage. Reviewing the development of LANDING, Mr. Liu expressed his gratitude to the great country and the great era, and fully affirmed the important position of LANDING’s overseas investment business. At the same time, Mr. Liu highly praised the first batch of students who were about to set out the expedition, calling them the tide players of the era, and expressed his expectations for them. Mr. Liu pointed out that more than a hundred years ago, the revolutionary predecessors went abroad to save the country from danger. Now, the students set off from here again, closely linking their personal destiny with the destiny of the country. Mr. Liu encouraged the students to set up the ambition of “cultivating oneself and keeping the family in order, ruling the country and leveling the world”, to learn legal knowledge, to carry forward the motto of ECUPL, to abide by professional ethics, to live up to their youth, and to come back to serve the country after graduation.

Mr. DU Tao, Dean of ECUPL School of International Law firstly expressed his gratitude to guests present for their excellent contributions to the cultivation of foreign-related legal talents, recognized the LANDING’s efforts, and expressed his admiration for the passion and sentiment of Mr. LIU Yixing, LANDING’s Director. Mr. Du praised the epoch-making significance of the Project, pointing out that study and internship in the “Belt and Road” countries are of high value, in line with the general trend of national development and transformation, in line with the requirements of the new era and the new journey, featuring profound historical significance. Mr. Du showed his appreciation to the leaders and faculty of ECUPL, the lawyers of LANDING for their important efforts in implementing the Project despite all difficulties. At the same time, Mr. Du encouraged the students to follow the example of Prof. ZHENG Zhaohuang, an outstanding predecessor of ECUPL, to cherish the opportunity, and wished them to finish their study and research tasks successfully.

Subsequently, Mr. YU Xun, director of ECUPL Division of social cooperation and Mr. YIN Jun, Executive Director of Shanghai Landing Law Offices issued letters of admission to the students.

Four senior students from ECUPL School of International Law participating in the overseas internship delivered speeches. Ms. LI Siyi thanked LANDING and ECUPL for the opportunity at first. Ms. Li has always regarded it as her goal to become a lawyer handling foreign-related matters and believes that legal practice is of great value. As a result, she did not hesitate to apply for the project when she saw the introduction. In the next three months, she will visit Chinese enterprises in Thailand, study the development of foreign investment in Thailand, and conduct a practice report on this topic. Mr. ZHONG Zheng said that this project will provide him with a window to explore the field of foreign investment, understand the practice of law and commerce, and guide him to formulate his career plan and integrate his personal development into the national development trend. He looks forward to building a solid legal foundation during his future internship and setting a good example for his juniors in the future. Ms. FU Rongrong was studying in the Shanghai-Hong Kong exchange class. She studied common law at the City University of Hong Kong and has participated in a number of foreign-related legal practices such as the International Labor Organization Forum. Ms. Fu said she recognized the significance of the project and was determined to grasp the opportunity of the era, combine theory with practice, and conduct a research report for lawyers practicing under the China’s legal system, colleagues practicing overseas, and entrepreneurs who invested overseas. Mr. ZHANG Nan said that he cherished this opportunity and looked forward to studying Thai law in the future, following the spirit of exploration of ECUPL. Meanwhile, Mr. Zhang pointed out that this precious opportunity will help him to better understand the mode of operation of Chinese-led international law firms in various countries, as represented by LANDING.

Mr. PAN Shuhong, vice-chairman of Shanghai Bar Association (SBA), delivered a speech afterwards, in which he extended sincere congratulations to the Project and the ceremony, and recognized the efforts of all sectors to cultivate foreign-related talents. Mr. Pan believes that this project responds positively to the national call, conforms to the national strategy, respects the international situation, helps to encourage and guide young people to undertake responsibility and give full play to their talents in foreign-related legal practice, and fits in with the work focus of SBA. Mr. Pan believes that in the promotion of this project, academic field and practice field have joined efforts to provide opportunities for outstanding students to participate in international trade and to learn international rules. Mr. Pan praised the contribution of LANDING to the cultivation of foreign-related legal talents, the courage of LANDING to assume social responsibility in the process of its own development, and thanked ECUPL for cultivating numerous top talents in China’s legal industry under the motto of “Behavior Sincerely and Learn Thirstily, Revere Virtues and Respect Laws”. Mr. Pan also encouraged the first batch of students to grasp the precious opportunities for studying and working, embracing the international stage full of opportunities and devoted to the great rejuvenation of China.

In the following speech, Ms. WANG Lin, Director of the Hongkou District Bureau of Justice, highly praised LANDING’s efforts in the development of scale and internationalization, serving the society with all-round and valuable legal services. Ms. Wang highly recognized LANDING’s undertaking of social responsibility by donation and sponsorship. As China’s role on the international stage is becoming more and more prominent amidst the unprecedented changes in the past century, Ms. Wang believes that members of the legal profession should adhere to Xi Jinping’s thought on the rule of law, adhere to and develop the basic strategy of socialism with Chinese characteristics, practice “the two upholds”, actively participate in pushing forward the change of the global governance system, build a new type of international relations, and construct a human community with a shared future. At the same time, Ms. Wang outlined the history and goals of District of Hongkou and the development and construction of the North Bund, emphasized the importance of high-quality legal talents, high-grade legal products, and legal services of universities, and urged lawyers to participate in the work of “Hongxin-Three Links” (program co-conducted by different local departments and institutes), to respond to the growing legal demand of the people, and to actively under social responsibility. Finally, Ms. Wang wished the students an unforgettable journey, and invited them to devote themselves to the construction of District of Hongkou and to the construction of China when they come back from their studies

Mr. HAN Qiang, vice-president of ECUPL made the final summary by highly praising LANDING’s guidance of “Specialized Services, International Vision and Steady Development” and appreciating LANDING’s efforts in devotion and sponsorship.

Mr. Han believed that in the context of COVID-19, the transfer of industries, talents, and technologies to developing countries gave them a lot of opportunities and space of development. This project focused on the internship aspect, which filled the blind spot in the cultivation of legal talents and opened up a new mode of donating funds for education, reflecting the pioneering spirit and foresight of LANDING. In addition, Mr. Han pointed out that ECUPL attached importance to the faculty structuring of foreign-related legislation, focused on legal talent cultivation, strived to build ECUPL School of foreign-related laws and helped Shanghai build a demonstration field for foreign-related legal talent cultivation. The concentration of enterprises in Hongkou and the location advantage of the North Bund are obvious, which provide an important opportunity for legal talents’ career development, and for strengthening the cooperation between ECUPL and District of Hongkou. In conclusion, Mr. Han encouraged the students to follow the example of Mr. SUN Xiangzhuang, Justice of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and an alumnus of ECUPL (’89s), by studying diligently, improving personal practical and business skills, and defending the interests of the country, enterprises and individuals on the international stage.

The departure ceremony was hosted by Mr. LI Xinli (David), senior partner and the director of Department of International Investment and Commerce of LANDING.

After the departure ceremony, the four students and some guests went to the nearby Qinhuangdao Road pier to visit the Propaganda Wall of Red Revolutionary Pioneers’ Study in France and took photos to commemorate the event. Formerly known as Huangpu Port, this pier was the place where Mr. ZHOU Enlai, Mr. DENG Xiaoping, Mr. NIE Rongzhen and other national leaders of the old generation boarded the ship bound for France in 1919 and 1920 for studying, seeking the truth of national salvation. 100 years later, the young students and guests visited the footsteps of the pioneers, which led to a successful conclusion of the departure ceremony.