On the morning of June 11th, the 3rd Course of the China-Africa Legal Professional Exchange Project was completed on the GDUFS North Campus. Professor ZHANG Mingqi, Deputy Director of Law Society of China, gave a detailed introduction of the labor security legal system with the title of "China’s Employment System Legislation and Regulation---Legal system of Labor Security with Chinese Characteristics".  

The Chinese employment system is a broad and vague concept, which can be organized into three categories: the first one for government officials, the second for government institutions and the third for enterprises. Because the third type is much closer to the practice in overseas countries, Professor ZHANG mainly focused on the labor security legal system in China. His speech was composed of five parts: the Establishment of Labor Relations, Balancing of Labor Relations, Resolution of Labor Disputes, Labor Dispatch and Innovations in China’s Labor Security Legal System. In the first part, we learnt that Employment Promotion Law promotes fair employment as provided for in eight provisions. And the conclusion of labor contracts should be subject to the principle of legitimacy, equality, free will, unanimity through consultation and good faith. If there were a labor crisis negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation were four main approaches to solve it in China. And tri-party mechanisms also play an important role in the resolution of labor disputes.  

 

 

Professor ZHANG Mingqi, Deputy Director of Law Society of China, gave a detailed introduction of the labor security legal system

After his speech, professor ZHANG and students further talked about China’s labor system. And some students actively asked some questions they were interested in. During this process, we could see that students had much interest in learning about China’s employment systems. Since China’s labor system is different from that in foreign countries, learning and better understanding about mutual systems would better promote the communication and cooperation between China and African countries.  

In the afternoon, the Graduation and Awarding Ceremony of this project was held. Professor ZHANG; President of GDUFS, ZHONG Weihe; Deputy Director and Secretary-General of Guangdong Law Society, CHEN Ruiguang; Deputy Consul-General of the Nigeria Consulate in Guangzhou, Shuaibu Adamu Onoze, delivered speeches on the stage respectively.  

First, Professor ZHANG looked back on the process and the fruitful results of this professional exchange project. Then he emphasized its practical significance in giving instructions for Chinese enterprises in Africa on solving legal problems and its positive influence on promoting mutual understanding between China and Africa. ZHANG hoped the project would continue to provide a high-quality stage for connecting the legal community with the business community in both China and Africa. He also encouraged the African students of the exchange project to share their stories in China with their friends and help enhance African people’s understanding of China, so as to form a cultural bridge between the two areas.

Professor ZHANG speaking  

Then, after a brief introduction of the development and features of GDUFS, President ZHONG also gave his approval to this exchange project. He said the project provided an opportunity for both peoples to learn from each other and produced positive effects on strengthening the legal systems in both China and Africa. Through careful discussion and study, legal agreements could be reached. Hopefully it could help enhance the collaboration ability of the two regions to meet new challenges and maintain regional stability. At last, ZHONG extended his hope to promote the legal exchange and cooperation between GDUFS and African countries, and at the same appeal to the African students to attend the Guangdong-Africa Investment Forum on September 7th to discuss together again the economies and trade cooperation between the two regions.  

President ZHONG speaking  

Next, Deputy Director CHEN promised that the Guangdong Law Society, collaborating with GDUFS, would set up a long-term mechanism to promote legal cooperation between Guangdong and Africa and offer more opportunities to legal professional exchange.  

Deputy Director CHEN speaking     

Deputy Consul-General Onoze pointed out the important role law was playing in promoting investment and hoped that the African students would utilize what they had learned in China to tackle the legal problems of foreign investment in Africa.  

Shuaibu Adamu Onoze speaking  

Afterwards, five representatives of African participants came on stage to share their thoughts and gains in this project. The Angola representative said China had given him sweet memories and it was a nice experience to learn about the Chinese legal system and its culture. The representative from South Africa said intellectual engagements and personal exchanges here provided her with opportunities to learn to grow and to challenge her own ideas and outlooks.  

Five representatives of African participants sharing ideas     

After that, ZHANG, on behalf of the Law Society of China, delivered two Name Boards to ZHONG as the symbols of the foundation of two centers in the university—respectively China-Africa Law Study Center (Guangzhou) and China-Africa Law Training Center (Guangzhou).

two Name Boards received

Finally, the students of the professional exchange project received their certificates.          

 

certificate awarding

Group photo