Introduction to the Legal Framework of China as a Socialist Market Economy

 Introduction to the Legal Framework of China as a Socialist Market Economy

Course description 

Economic reform since late 1970s has not only lifted China to the second largest economy in the world, but also posed serious institutional challenges to its social and market transition. Given China still being a socialist country, the path of its economic and legal modernization has been quite unique as compared with other developing economies. Against this background this course is designed to provide students with basic knowledge of China’s economic taking-off in the past 40 years, the current market and legal conditions and the challenges facing China’s future development.

The course at an introductory level with a practical approach aims at enabling students to understand China’s current legal system and to appreciate its basic characters from a comparative perspective. Some issues raised in market globalization, such as market access, equal competition, government regulation and corporate social responsibilities, will be examined in the context of China’s enactments and its social and legal environment.

The course will have five classes with 3 contact-hours each in English and intends to cover six topics: (1) An introduction to China’s socialist market economy; (2) An introduction to China’s legal system; (3) Contract law and practice in China; (4) Business organization Law: Company law; (5) Business organization law: foreign investment joint venture laws; and (6) Market access and competition regulations. One hour will be reserved for course review.

Classes will be conducted by way of lectures and class discussion. Students are encouraged to actively participate in the class activities. Some case study may be included. Power point slides as the lecture outlines will be provided and some reading materials will suggested.

Assessment   

72 hours take-home exam with the questions assigned

Some suggested readings:

Albert Chen, An Introduction to the Legal System of the PRC  (4h Edition, 2011), LexisNexis;

Susan V. Lawrence, China’s Political Institutions and Leaders in Charts, Congressional Research Service 7-5700, 2013; at https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R43303.pdf;