Guangzhou Winter School: Introduction to Chinese Commercial Law

Program overview

The Faculty of Law is offering students the opportunity to visit and study in Guangzhou with one of our partner universities, the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS). 

GDUFS is a leading public university with an emphasis on foreign languages and cultures, overseas economy and trade, and international strategies. Established in 1965, it is an important base in South China for international talent cultivation and studies of foreign languages and cultures, global economic governance, foreign-related rule of law, and international communication of Chinese culture. GDUFS is located in Guangzhou, one of the largest business and legal service hubs in China.  

GDUFS will host a two-week immersive law program running from 9 to 22 December 2024. Learning from GDUFS’s prestigious law academics, you will gain an in-depth understanding of Chinese Commercial Law, covering subjects like Rule of Law in Greater Bay Area: The Constitution of China and the Basic Laws of Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Foreign Trade Law of China, Foreign Investment Law of China, Digital Law in China and Labor Law of China.  

Beyond the enriching academic experience, you will be able to immerse yourself in the captivating Chinese culture through tours to iconic landmarks, engaging field trips to courts and law firms, and the chance to engage with the diverse study body at GDUFS. The journey will be further enhanced with an opening ceremony and a farewell banquet hosted by GDUFS.

Selected students will be accompanied by UTS Faculty of Law Associate Professor Colin Hawes. Colin is also a Research Fellow at the Australia-China Relations Institute. 

Eligibility

Please check the general eligibility criteria to participate in a short-term mobility program.  

In order to be eligible for academic credit, UTS Law students must enrol in International and Comparative Study in Law (76099 for UG students, or 78293 for JD students) and meet the prerequisites for the subject. 

Please note that you must be taking this program for academic credit in order to qualify for mobility scholarships or grants.  

How to apply

To be considered for this program, please submit an expression of interest to the Faculty of Law outlining why you would like to participate in the program and with a copy of your current academic transcript. This can be an unofficial copy.  

EOI submissions will be open from 12 July until 23 August 2024.  

If eligible, selected students will then be able to apply via Global Mobility Programs for financial assistance

Costs and funding 

The program fees are dependent on enrolment numbers and exchange rate changes. 

Please find approximate costs below depending on your accommodation preference.

• Single dorm room – Total program fee is approximately $3,654. 
  For more information about the single dorm rooms, please visit: The newly-renovated and the best GDUFS Dorm Rooms (qq.com)
• Twin Hotel room –Total program fee is approximately $3,962. 
  For more information about the twin hotel rooms, please visit: Easeland Hotel Guangzhou (yurunda.cn)

This fee covers academic lectures, accommodation, inner-city and intra-city transportation, airport shuttles, three (3) meals each day, an opening ceremony and a farewell banquet hosted by GDUFS.  

Students taking the program for academic credit may be eligible to receive New Colombo Plan Mobility Grants of up to $3,000 OR Global Short Programs Travel Scholarships of up to $1,000. Read more about financial assistance options  

Information session

There will be an online information session at 5:30pm on 8 August 2024. 

Learn more from: 

• Dr Renata Grossi (Mobility Coordinator)
• Associate Professor Grace Li (Associate Dean Internationalisation)
• Associate Professor Colin Hawes from the Faculty of Law
• Kate Cormie (UTS Global Mobility Programs Officer)
• Xingxing Yang (International Program Assistant Coordinator, GDUFS).   

 

Draft Schedule for 9 to 22 December 2024

Please note that this is a draft program and is subject to change.  

Date	Morning	Afternoon
Day 1 Monday 9 December	Airport Pick up from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport	17:00  Opening Ceremony
Day 2 Tuesday 10 December	9:00-12:00 Rule of Law in Greater Bay Area: The Constitution of China and the Basic Laws of Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR	14:00-16:00  Alternative Dispute Resolution
Day 3 Wednesday 11 December	9:00-12:00 GDUFS Campus Tour in Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre	14:00-16:00 Meet with GDUFS Undergraduate Students (esp. students with moot court experiences)
Day 4 Thursday 12 December	9:00-12:00 Visit the Former Site and Memorial Hall of Whampoa Military Academy in Guangzhou	14:00-16:00  Visit to Guangzhou Arbitration Commission (GZAC)
Day 5 Friday 13 December	8:00-10:00 Travel to Shenzhen  10:00-12:00  Visit Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA)	14:00-16:00  Visit Shenzhen Qianhan Cooperation Zone People’s Court 16:00-18:00  Travel back to Guangzhou
Day 6 Saturday 14 December	Free Time
Day 7 Sunday 15 December	Meet with GDUFS graduate students (esp. GDUFS students with UTS summer tour experience)	Meet with GDUFS students from Legal Aid Centre
Day 8 Monday 16 December	9:00-12:00 Foreign Trade Law of China	14:00-16:00  Foreign Investment Law of China
Day 9 Tuesday 17 December	9:00-12:00  Digital Law in China	14:00-16:00  Labor Law of China
Day 10 Wednesday 18 December	9:00-12:00  Visit Guangzhou Nansha Free Trade Zone Legal Service Hub	14:00-16:00  Visit Law Firm in Guangzhou
Day 11 Thursday 19 December	14:00-17:00  Visit to the Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs Museum and downtown tour around the Beijing Road Pedestrian Street	19:00 Night Cruise on the Pearl River* *Night Cruise is an optional self-paid activity for UTS students
Day 12 Friday 20 December	9:00-12:00 Visit to Baiyun Campus and Meet with GDUFS PhD students (esp. GDUFS PhD students with UTS summer tour experience)	19:00 Night Cruise on the Pearl River* *Night Cruise is an optional self-paid activity for UTS students
Day 13 Saturday 21 December	Free Time	14:00-16:00 Hiking in Baiyun Mountain
Day 14 Sunday 22 December	Departure	17:00 Farewell Banquet