Participation of the Institute of Law and Economics at the SCO Forum

From June 17 to 19, 2025, the Forum on Legal Support for SCO Economic and Trade Activities was held in Shanghai, China. The forum took place at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law and the SCO International Legal Education and Cooperation Center. It brought together over 100 experts, scholars, and industry representatives from international organizations, SCO member states, research institutions, and business communities.

At the opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by:

• Liu Xiaohong, Rector of Shanghai University of Political Science and Law and Head of the SCO International Legal Education and Cooperation Center (CNISCO);

• Xi Ru, Class 2 Counselor of the Department of International Exchange and Cooperation at China’s Ministry of Education;

• Sheng Guofei, Vice Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products.

Piao Yanfan, Deputy Secretary-General of the SCO, emphasized the Organization’s consistent advocacy for adherence to universally recognized norms of international law and its commitment to inclusive, sustainable development 13.

Buriat State University was represented by:

1. E.L. Radnaeva, Director of the Institute of Law and Economics and Head of the Russian-Chinese Legal Center at BSU’s Confucius Institute;

2. B.S. Semenov, Associate Professor of the Department of Constitutional and International Law, Head of the Laboratory of International Law and Asian Integration Processes at the Institute of Law and Economics. Professor Semenov delivered a presentation on the "International Arbitration Court of SCO Countries" and its potential establishment near Lake Baikal.

In his report, six key arguments highlighted BSU’s achievements, including:

• Its role as an expert hub for Russia, China, and Mongolia in implementing the "New Silk Road" global project;

• Pioneering comparative legal research and hosting international conferences on legal comparativism, such as the Asian Legal Forum.

The International Legal Studies program at the Institute of Law and Economics has trained over 200 lawyers proficient in Chinese language and China’s legal system. Most have passed the HSK exam and pursued/are pursuing master’s degrees in law at leading Chinese universities. Since 2010, the Russian-Chinese Legal Center under the Confucius Institute has promoted:

• Teaching Chinese language and law;

• Academic collaboration between Russian and Chinese scholars.

Despite pandemic restrictions, the Agreement on Cooperation signed between Buriat State University and Shanghai University of Political Science and Law on June 6, 2019, reinvigorated bilateral ties in legal education and research. During the forum, both parties agreed to sign a new Memorandum of Cooperation and facilitate BSU’s entry into the SCO Association of Law Schools.

The Institute of Law and Economics and Buriat State University extend gratitude to the leadership and faculty of Shanghai University of Political Science and Law and the SCO International Legal Education and Cooperation Center for organizing this pivotal forum. It serves as an effective platform for:

• Deepening legal frameworks for economic and trade activities;

• Fostering an open, mutually beneficial, and sustainable platform for legal cooperation within the SCO.