vol. 15, no. 2
February 2001

The Sino-American Conference on “Insurance and Financial Services: China after WTO” was held in Beijing from October 15-17, 2000 and was cosponsored by the Insurance Law Center at the University of Connecticut School of Law and University of International Business and Economics, China. As an insurance law librarian of the University of Connecticut School of Law, I had the opportunity to organize and participate in the event as the conference coordinator and planner.

A number of distinguished speakers gave a variety of presentations, and participants discussed among themselves the changes that would accompany China’s expanding global role and how the country would adjust its financial rules in line with WTO principles.  Attendees from both countries observed that China is faced with a daunting task to change its laws and regulations to adapt to the WTO requirements, and the Chinese officials believed that most of China’s law and administrative regulations are not in conflict with the WTO agreement. They also promised that any laws and regulations not in accordance with the WTO bilateral agreements would be revised.

Every year, the Insurance Law Center at the University of Connecticut School of Law sponsors a conference on the topic of foreign and international insurance and financial service regulations.  In 1999, the Center sponsored a conference that explored the topic in Central and South America.  These conferences provided an opportunity for regulators and insurance scholars to learn from each other and to strengthen the relationships that are essential to effective international and regional cooperation.  Attending the conference also offered me a chance to revisit Beijing and see with my own eyes the tremendous changes that had taken place in the last few years. It was a pleasant trip I enjoyed very much.