Manchester China Institute

12/10/2026

Renmin University Law School Dean visits Manchester China Institute to explore academic partnership

The Manchester China Institute (MCI) The University of Manchester was delighted to welcome Professor Yang D**g, Dean of Renmin University of China Law School, and Dr Li Xiuqi, Director of its Training and Alumni Office, on Friday 9 October 2026.

The visitors were welcomed by Professor Lei Chen, MCI Director and Chair of Comparative Law, and Yannan Yu, MCI Project Manager.

The visit provided an opportunity to explore closer academic collaboration between Renmin University of China Law School and MCI, bringing together Renmin’s expertise in legal scholarship and MCI’s interdisciplinary research on China.

Discussions focused on opportunities for joint research, seminars, academic visits and engagement between early-career scholars.

A future partnership could strengthen international academic connections, encourage knowledge exchange and contribute to a deeper understanding of China’s evolving legal landscape.

The visit reflects MCI’s continuing commitment to strengthening understanding between Britain and China through research, education and meaningful academic engagement.

12/10/2026

🌿 MCI Director attends opening of Yangzhou Scholars’ Garden

Professor Lei Chen, Director of the Manchester China Institute (MCI) at The University of Manchester, attended the opening of the beautiful Yangzhou Scholars’ Garden at RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford on Friday 25 September 2026.

Inspired by the historic gardens of Yangzhou, this new space celebrates Chinese heritage, friendship and international collaboration. Four traditional pavilions dedicated to music, chess, calligraphy and painting surround a courtyard and pool, bringing centuries of Chinese cultural traditions to Greater Manchester.

The garden holds special significance for MCI through its connection to the late Dr Lee Kai Hung. His generosity helped establish the Institute and played a central role in bringing the Chinese Streamside Garden to life.

Both projects reflect his enduring commitment to strengthening understanding and friendship between British and Chinese communities.

The new garden, which opened to the public on 26 September, offers a wonderful opportunity for visitors to experience Chinese culture through landscape, architecture and horticulture.

🌸 A lasting celebration of cultural exchange and the connections that bring communities together.

05/10/2026

MCI strengthens its role in UK–China legal cooperation

Professor Lei Chen, Director of the Manchester China Institute and Chair of Comparative Law at The University of Manchester, participated in the Fifth Seminar of the Supreme People’s Court’s International Commercial Expert Committee in Shanghai.

As a member of the Committee, Professor Chen joined international judges, scholars and practitioners to discuss the future of cross-border dispute resolution.

Speaking in the session on international commercial mediation, he examined how Chinese courts could further develop mediation as an integral part of international commercial justice.

Other prominent UK participants included Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, Sir Robin Knowles and Sir William Blair.

The meeting also explored developments in arbitration and mediation, alongside the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence.

Professor Chen’s participation reflects MCI’s commitment to connecting research on China with international dialogue on law, institutions and global challenges.

15/09/2026

What makes somewhere feel like home?

We’re delighted to invite you to Finding Home in Britain: Belonging, Home and Identity, a free discussion at Manchester Museum exploring how migration, culture, community and personal experience shape our ideas of home and belonging.

The event forms part of the Haha! Britain book tour. The bilingual anthology brings together 42 Chinese authors sharing their experiences of life in the UK.

The discussion will be moderated by Dr Xiaobing Wang from the Manchester China Institute, with Dr Qian Liu, contributing author of Haha! Britain, and Shaosheen Jewel Quirk, host of the Not Made in China podcast.

📅 Tuesday 20 October 2026
🕧 12:30–14:00
📍 Manchester Museum, Top Floor Classroom
🎟️ Free

Everyone is welcome.

Book your free place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/finding-home-in-britain-belonging-home-and-identity-tickets-2000143996536

14/09/2026

📚 Join us for our next MCI Public Talk!
The Manchester China Institute is delighted to welcome award-winning author and filmmaker Curtis Chin for a conversation about his acclaimed memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant.

Curtis will reflect on growing up in Detroit, working in his family’s Chinese restaurant, and his experiences of family, food, identity, community and coming out.

📅 Tuesday 29 September 2026
⏰ 12.30–2.00pm
📍 Manchester China Institute, The University of Manchester
🎟️ Free – all are welcome

Book your place here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/everything-i-learned-i-learned-in-a-chinese-restaurant-tickets-1998414130460

07/09/2026

The final several days of the Manchester International Arbitration Training Programme 2026 have been truly inspiring.

Our participants have benefited from the expertise of leading international arbitration practitioners, arbitrators, academics and legal professionals, gaining valuable insights into contemporary arbitration practice from those shaping the field globally.

A huge thank you to our distinguished speakers from the final days of the programme for sharing their knowledge and experience: Sir Bernard Rix, Professor Lei Chen, Dr Georgia Antonopoulou, Sir Christopher Vajda KC, Drew Holiner, Sir Bernard Eder, Jonathan Lim, Dr Nicolette Butler and Jue Jun Lu.

Beyond the high-calibre presentations, the programme has been characterised by thoughtful questions, lively debate and meaningful exchanges of perspectives.

As MIATP 2026 approaches its conclusion, it has been wonderful to see new professional networks forming and ideas being exchanged across borders, disciplines and cultures.

03/09/2026

The Manchester International Arbitration Training Programme is officially underway!

We have had a fantastic start to this year’s programme, welcoming participants from Sun Yat-sen University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Tongji University, Zhejiang University, Hunan Normal University and Trinity College Dublin, as well as members of the Hong Kong Bar and senior lawyers from the Shanghai Lawyers Association and Guangzhou Lawyers Association, to The University of Manchester.

The programme opened with a warm welcome from Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, followed by an introduction from Professor Lei Chen, Director of the Manchester China Institute, who highlighted the importance of international collaboration, knowledge exchange and supporting the next generation of arbitration professionals.

Over the first two days, participants have heard from an outstanding group of practitioners and academics, including Joe-han Ho （何儒翰） of 39 Essex Chambers, Ben Giaretta CArb FCIArb, Professor Orkun Akseli of The University of Manchester, and Timothy Smyth of Boies Schiller Flexner LLP.

Sessions have explored a wide range of topics, including fraud in international commercial arbitration, careers in arbitration and writing international arbitration awards, arbitration and insolvency, and expropriation under international investment law.

A huge thank you to all our speakers, participating institutions, colleagues and attendees for making the opening days such a success. The enthusiasm, engagement and exchange of ideas have created a fantastic learning environment and a truly international atmosphere.

We are looking forward to many more stimulating sessions, discussions and networking opportunities throughout the rest of the programme.

01/09/2026

The Manchester China Institute was delighted to host Professor Qisheng He (何其生) as a Visiting Professor during July and August 2026.

Professor He is Professor of International Law at Peking University Law School and Chairman of the Peking University International Economic Law Institute, and is a leading scholar in private international law, international economic law and international dispute resolution.

During his visit, Professor He held discussions with Professor Lei Chen, Director of the Manchester China Institute, on strengthening academic cooperation between Peking University and The University of Manchester.

They explored opportunities for academic exchange, collaborative research, scholarly events and wider institutional engagement between Peking University’s international law programmes and MCI.

Professor He’s visit reflects MCI’s commitment to strengthening substantive academic links between The University of Manchester and leading universities and research institutions in China.

We look forward to developing these discussions into further collaboration with Professor He and colleagues at Peking University.

Find out more about MCI’s visiting scholars and Scholars in Residence:
https://www.mci.manchester.ac.uk/about/people/scholars-in-residence-programme/

03/08/2026

We are delighted to announce that the Manchester International Arbitration Programme, organised by the Manchester China Institute at The University of Manchester, will take place from 1–7 September 2026.

The programme will bring together leading figures from the English judiciary, international arbitration practice and academia for a week of intensive learning, professional exchange and international engagement.

Our distinguished speakers include Sir Bernard Rix, former Judge of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales; Sir Bernard Eder, former Judge of the Commercial Court; and Sir Christopher Vajda KC, former Judge of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

They will be joined by partners from leading international law firms, barristers from eminent chambers and University of Manchester colleagues, including Nicolette Butler, Orkun Akseli and Lei Chen.

We are also honoured that Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, will deliver the opening address.

Confirmed participants represent a wide range of universities, professional organisations and legal communities, including:

Sun Yat-sen University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
Tongji University
Zhejiang University
Hunan Normal University
Trinity College Dublin
The Hong Kong Bar
Shanghai Lawyers Association
Guangzhou Lawyers Association

We are deeply grateful to all participating institutions, speakers, colleagues and friends for their generous support. We would also like to thank Humanities at The University of Manchester and Fiona Devine for their continued support of the Manchester China Institute and this programme.

We look forward to welcoming an outstanding cohort to Manchester in September.

Find out more:
https://www.mci.manchester.ac.uk/about/events/manchester-international-arbitration-training-programme/

Manchester China Institute 曼彻斯特中国研究院AboutEventsManchester International Arbitration Training Programme Manchester China Institute 曼彻斯特中国研究院 About Events Postgraduate Workshops in China Studies Manchester International Arbitration Training Programme Manchester Inte...

16/06/2026

🎉 We are delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Lei Chen as Chair of Comparative Law, Lee Kai Hung Chair of Chinese Politics, and Director of the Manchester China Institute, effective 1 August 2026.

An internationally recognised scholar specialising in comparative law, Chinese law and international dispute resolution, Professor Chen brings extensive academic and professional expertise spanning comparative private law, transnational commercial dispute resolution, and Chinese legal and regulatory development.

His appointment reflects the enduring impact of the generosity and vision of Dr Lee Kai Hung, whose philanthropy helped establish both the Manchester China Institute and the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery.

As Director, Professor Chen will build on the Institute’s strong foundations, advancing interdisciplinary research, policy dialogue, student engagement and international collaboration between Manchester, China and the wider world.

Professor Chen commented:

"At a time of profound global transformation, institutions capable of sustaining serious intellectual and societal engagement across jurisdictions are more important than ever."

We would also like to express our sincere thanks to Dr Xiaobing Wang for his invaluable leadership and support as Interim Director.

Please join us in welcoming Professor Chen to The University of Manchester.