On October 17, the 2025 Liaoning · Sino-European Investment Law Forum was successfully held in Dalian in a hybrid online and offline format. The Forum was guided by the Liaoning Provincial Department of Justice and the Liaoning Provincial Department of Commerce, hosted by the Liaoning Lawyers Association, andco-organized by the Industry Communications and Foreign Affairs Specialized Committee at the Liaoning Lawyers Association together with Liaoning Sun-land Law Firm. Approximately 400 participants attended, including representatives from the All China Lawyers Association, Liaoning Provincial Department of Justice, Liaoning Provincial Department of Commerce, Tianjin University Law School, experts and scholars from universities, law school faculty and students, representatives from domestic and overseas legal service organizations and business chambers, and senior partners and corporate representatives from Chinese and foreign enterprises.
The Forum also received joint support from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (Liaoning Sub-Council), China Chamber of International Commerce (Liaoning Chamber), German Federal Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (China Service Center), China Maritime Arbitration Commission Northeast Asia Arbitration Center, Dalian Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and Dalian Arbitration Commission, as well as academic guidance from Tianjin University Law School, Dalian Maritime University Law School, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics Law School, Liaoning Normal University School of Law and Politics, Dalian University Law School, and the Northeast Asia Research Center of Dalian Ocean University. The Forum was moderated by Mr. Matthew Guangsheng Ren, Managing Partner of Liaoning Sun-land Law Firm.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. Following the Ministry of Justice's nationwide initiative to strengthen foreign-related legal services, this Forum represents a significant regional foreign-related legal event in Liaoning. As an important province in the revitalization of Northeast China, Liaoning continues to expand its openness to the world. The Forum serves as an important step in aligning with international legal standards and enhancing the province’s capacity for foreign-related legal services. It contributes meaningfully to improving a rule-of-law-based and international business environment and strengthening the legal foundation for China–Europe investment cooperation.
With the theme “Cooperationand Development — A Joint Dialogue on Sino-European Investment Legal Practice,” Chinese and European guests shared their perspectives and expectations on legal collaboration in cross-border investment. In her remarks, Deputy Director Nie Xinxin of the Liaoning Provincial Department of Justice stated that foreign-related legal services play a key role in supporting the province's international openness. She emphasized that the Forum represents a practical step toward implementing the national strategy for foreign-related legal modernization and expressed hope that it would help form a “Liaoning Approach” to addressing Sino-European investment legal challenges. Vice President Wang Qingyou of the All China Lawyers Association emphasized that the Forum builds a platform for professional international cooperation and encouraged deeper collaboration between Chinese and European lawyers. Chairman Pang Baoguo of CCPIT Liaoning Sub-Council emphasized establishing a “Legal Services + Trade Promotion” mechanism to provide full-chain support for enterprises. Dean Sun Youhai of Tianjin University Law School and Chairman Cui Yan of the Dalian Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese shared insights from academic and overseas Chinese community perspectives.
During theKeynote Speeches session, leaders of several European bar associations discussed opportunities and challenges in Sino-European cross-border legal services. The President of the European Bars Federation (FBE) analyzed legal risks and strategies for managing cross-border investment, emphasizing collaboration across legal communities. The President of the Rotterdam Bar Association shared developments in EU corporate compliance and intellectual property protection, offering guidance for Chinese enterprises investing in Europe. A “Country-Specific Legal Insights” segment followed, where representatives from Hungary, Italy, and Germany introduced their national investment legal frameworks, tax policies, and market access rules. Mr. Matthew Guangsheng Ren, Managing Partner of Liaoning Sun-land Law Firm, presented practical pathways for Sino-European legal cooperation in supporting Chinese enterprises investing abroad. He also introduced Liaoning’s favorable business environment and support policies to European business representatives, and signed legal Strategic Cooperation MOU with multiple law firms from Germany, Spain, Italy, Hungary, and other countries.
The successful convening of the 2025 Liaoning · Sino-European Investment Law Forum further strengthens cooperation between Liaoning and Europe in the field of legal services and promotes the healthy development of Sino-European investment. Going forward, the Liaoning Provincial Department of Justice and the Liaoning Lawyers Association will continue to build the "Liaoning · Sino-European Legal Service Exchange Mechanism", integrate cross-border legal service resources, expand professional training for foreign-related legal talent, and provide more specialized and internationalized legal services to support Chinese enterprises in “going global,” helping Liaoning create a higher-level open environment under the rule of law.