On December 19, 2021, the 10th China WTO Moot Court Competition came to an end. 39 teams from Peking University, China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University of International Business and Economics, Wuhan University and Xiamen University participated. In the form of online court trial, the moot court competition was hosted by Southwest University of Political Science and Law, China University of Political Science and Law, World Trade Organization Law Research Society of China Law Society and Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, and co-organized by Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Southwest University of Political Science and Law and World Trade Organization Law Research Society of China Law Society.
China WTO Moot Court Competition is the only university moot court competition in China that is currently sponsored by national ministries. By simulating the oral hearing procedure of the panel of experts under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, the competition aims to improve university students’ mastery and application of WTO rules, enhance their comprehensive legal ability and English debating ability, and promote the selection and training of high-end talents in international economic and trade negotiations and dispute settlement. The competition was conducted in English and consisted of two parts: memo and oral part. The cases in this year’s competition focused on the understanding and application of the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, and involved emerging legal issues such as how to identify relevant entities and cross-border subsidies.
Mr. Zhao Qiang from the Law School served as the coach of our team, and Chen Chen, a 2018 undergraduate student, was the assistant coach. 2019 undergraduate students Yao Chenlu, Dai Xizi, Zhang Jiayi and 2020 undergraduate student Wang Xinli were contestants while 2018 undergraduate students Zhang Nan and Lin Lin were the research team members. After a fierce competition, our university entered the top eight in the country and won the national first prize, the applicant’s best memo award and the overall best memo. Among them, Dai Xizi was awarded the honorary title of “Best Oralist”.
During the nearly five months of preparation, the instructors and the contestants overcame many difficulties such as new fields, limited information and controversies, and then continuously improved themselves. During the preparation process, the WTO moot court team members also received guidance and assistance from Ms. Luo Jie, Ms. An Li, and Ms. Wang Xiaoqiong, and the international moot court team members, 2018 undergraduate students Meng Hongchen and Guo Zhixuan. The Law School Moot Court Debate Team is a collaborative and collegial family, providing students with an opportunity to practice their English expression and improve international law research skills. We welcome all aspiring students to join the Law School Moot Court Debate Team and breathe new life into the team for further success!
