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The State of Legal Development in China: Issues and Evidence

April 24, 2014

The symposium, which also included scholars from schools such as NYU Law and University of Wisconsin Law, tackled topics on criminal righ...
The symposium, which also included scholars from schools such as NYU Law and University of Wisconsin Law, tackled topics on criminal rights reform and legal education.
On Monday, April 21, Penn Law partnered with professors and researchers from Beijing’s Renmin University Law School to address vital areas of China’s legal development.

By Angela Hooks C’15

On Monday, April 21, Penn Law partnered with professors and researchers from Beijing’s Renmin University Law School to address vital areas of China’s legal development.

The symposium, which also included scholars from schools such as NYU Law and University of Wisconsin Law, tackled topics on criminal rights reform and legal education.

The program opened with a brief presentation on the creation and importance of Renmin University Law School’s annual comprehensive reports that look at the state of legal development within China. Zhu Lingwen, the principal editor of these reports, provided insight into the areas of legal development that are most influential and essential to the Chinese system in light of China’s fast economic growth.

“Issues that the emerging economy brings about include economic inequality, environmental pollution, and corruption,” Professor Lingwen said. Addressing these issues requires help from the legal system, which is being held accountable by Renmin University Law School’s annual reports.

The excitement of audience members who study China’s legal system, including Penn Law’s own Jacques deLisle, was palpable because of the chance to interact and learn from some of China’s top legal experts.