Issue 1, December 2007

LAW IN THE PEOPLE'S RUPUBLIC OF CHINA

Once again a party of Bond Law students visited China in the May semester break as part of the Chinese Law elective.

This change in course timing from the September semester break, when the visit occurred in 2005 & 2006,  was necessary to avoid a clash with the 2008 Olympics when accommodation in Beijing will be at a premium.  Like the 2007 visit, in future the course will also travel to Chengdu and Chongqing in Western China, where the weather is far more pleasant in May than it is in September – and where the world’s premier Panda park is located.

In Beijing, the students visited famous Chinese landmarks such as the Forbidden City and Great Wall as part of their introduction to the ancient Chinese culture which underlies the customs and legal system of the PRC.   During their time in western China, students experienced at first hand conditions outside the booming new economic zones in the coastal regions and studied aspects of Chinese Law under Professors from our partner university – the South West China University of Politics and Law.  Court visits and discussions with local lawyers and law firms also improved understanding of the practice of Law in the PRC and the Chongqing hotpot banquet unquestionably proved that real Szechwan cooking is far hotter than our timid Australian imitations.

Shanghai – the most modern and fastest developing city in the world – showed the vision that China has of its future and meetings with Bond alumni practicing in Shanghai provoked a lot of questions about how to apply for positions in local firms.  One of the highlights of the visit was dinner with local Chinese masters students which extended far into the night and has led to some long lasting friendships between our students and their counterparts in Shanghai.

As the 16 days drew to a close, the necessarily fast pace was beginning to catch up with many, but most participants were glad that we had negotiated an excess baggage allowance with Singapore Airlines, given the substantial contribution the majority had made to the Chinese economy during their enthusiastic shopping excursions.
All returned with new perspectives on the nation which is predicted to soon be Australia’s largest trading partner and is already an exploding market for legal services.