Steering Research Initiatives
As part of a research collaboration supported by the Chinese Consulate, Centre for Chinese Legal Studies (CCLS) undertook a project on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to support Chinese businesses operating in Pakistan under CPEC. The initiative aimed to develop a culturally informed and legally sound ADR framework by integrating international best practices with the local context. Through 25 targeted consultations with legal experts, academics, and industry professionals—including stakeholders from Lahore High Court, Wuhan University, ADRI, and CIICA, among others, the project produced a comprehensive report to inform future dispute resolution mechanisms and strengthen legal cooperation between Pakistan and China.
Additionally, CCLS hosted a workshop under its Annual Working Paper Series, focusing on the legal, socio-economic, and environmental impacts of CPEC. The event brought together leading experts and policymakers to discuss CPEC’s evolving role in governance and sustainable development. Keynote speaker Mr. Shahid Javed Burki highlighted CPEC’s geoeconomic significance, while other speakers explored themes such as trade, investment, regional politics, gender, and public health.
Ongoing Academic Offerings
CCLS offers recurring HSK-1 and HSK-2 Chinese language courses to promote linguistic skills and cross-cultural understanding. These programmes attract a diverse group of participants, including professionals, lawyers, and academics, and equip them with foundational skills in Mandarin reading, writing, listening, and speaking. As part of the Centre’s broader cultural engagement, it also hosted a Chinese Calligraphy Workshop led by Mr. Yin Bingquan. Participants learned traditional brush techniques and explored the cultural significance of calligraphy through interactive sessions, including a personalised ‘Name in Chinese’ activity. These initiatives collectively foster people-to-people diplomacy and strengthen Pakistan-China ties through language and cultural exchange.
Cross-Cultural Engagements
CCLS celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Moon Festival, and the Spring Festival through vibrant cultural events showcasing traditional cuisine, performances, and interactive activities. Highlights included a drum circle, calligraphy, games, and festive competitions, creating immersive experiences for students, alumni, faculty, guests from the Chinese Consulate, and the broader community. These celebrations reflected CCLS’s ongoing commitment to promoting cross-cultural understanding and strengthening Pakistan-China relations through shared traditions and people-to-people connections.
Strategic Partnerships & Collaborations
As part of the centre’s efforts to expand academic and policy engagement, it signed an MoU with Peking University Law School to foster student and faculty exchange and to collaborate on research in trade, investment, and dispute resolution. CCLS also launched the 2025 Talk Series featuring Dr. Juan J. Garcia Blesa (University of Hagen), whose lecture explored cultural factors shaping legal interpretations in international arbitration.
Additionally, in collaboration with the Burki Institute of Public Policy (BIPP), CCLS organised a training session for CSS 52nd Common officers, focusing on key lessons from CPEC Phase I and forward-looking strategies for Phase II, including agriculture, energy, and governance reforms.
Networking & Advocacy Efforts
CCLS hosted a high-profile roundtable session focused on legal reforms, investment protection, and dispute resolution under CPEC Phase II. The event was attended by over 60 participants, including members of the judiciary, senior legal professionals, government officials, academics, journalists, and policy researchers. The keynote speakers, Honourable Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Jawad Hassan, underscored the need for institutional modernisation, cross-border legal cooperation, and robust regulatory mechanisms to ensure long-term investment protection and economic stability.
Additionally, in collaboration with CIICA, CCLS organised the inaugural Mediation and Negotiation Competition at LUMS. Law students from various institutions participated in simulated trade disputes, judged by mediation professionals. Workshops led by international experts, along with a keynote by former Ambassador Shahid Malik, reinforced the importance of negotiation in international relations and legal education.
Institutional Capacity Building Initiatives
As part of the Centre’s outreach initiative, Dr. Sikander Shah, Director of CCLS, delivered a series of lectures at prominent institutions across Lahore. Aimed at capacity building and fostering academic collaboration, these talks addressed a range of important topics, including China’s global diplomacy, international law, human rights, social media regulation, and religious tolerance. Dr. Shah visited the University of the Punjab, University of Lahore, Lahore College for Women University, Kinnaird College, and Government College University’s Kala Shah Kaku Campus.
