Academic Exchange and Cooperative Partnerships
The Centre's research is characterized by a vibrant academic exchange with institutions, organizations, and legal scholars working both in Germany and abroad, thereby forming the basis for joint research projects, research stays by visiting scholars, and international conferences.
Cooperation with the CASS Institute of Law
In 2018, the Institute and the Law Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) signed a cooperation agreement, thus formalizing an academic exchange that had already been cultivated for many years through personal connections between the two institutions. The collaboration aims to facilitate regular academic exchange, particularly through research visits by early-career researchers, as well as joint research projects and academic conferences, held annually in Beijing and Hamburg.
Further information: Zur China-Reise des Instituts im April 1986 (in German)
Sino-German Institute for Legal Studies (DCIR)
The Sino-German Institute for Legal Studies is a joint project between the Georg-August-University in Göttingen and Nanjing University. Since 1988, Chinese and German students have been studying the law of the counterpart country. Successful graduates are awarded a dual Master’s degree from both universities.
The Max Planck Institute is linked to the institute in Nanjing through the joint editorship of the Journal of Chinese Law (ZChinR). The close ties are further reflected in the fact that Knut Benjamin Pißler held the post of German Deputy Director of the DCIR in Nanjing from 2023 to 2025 and took up a long-term lectureship there funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
German-Chinese Associate of Jurists (DCJV)
Founded in 1986, the German-Chinese Association of Jurists promotes knowledge of Chinese law in Germany and vice versa. To this end, it organizes conferences on current issues relating to current Chinese legal developments. Its members come primarily from the legal profession, business, academia, and positions in public administration. Since 2021, Knut Benjamin Pißler has held the office as Vice-President of the DCJV.
European China Law Studies Association (ECLS)
The European China Law Studies Association, registered in Hamburg, was founded in 2007 to further institutionalize links among scholars in the field of legal studies in China. Knut Benjamin Pißler is one of the founding members. The association’s first annual conference was held in 2007 at the Max Planck Institute in Hamburg. The annual conference, which rotates between different venues each year, provides an international forum for discussing Sino-legal research projects and findings.
China-EU School of Law (CESL)
The China-EU School of Law was established in Beijing in 2008 on behalf of the European Commission and the People’s Republic of China by a coalition of universities led by the University of Hamburg. The Max Planck Institute is involved in the project as an associated institution. The CESL offers Master’s programmes for Chinese and international students, as well as training courses for Chinese judges, prosecutors, and lawyers. The programme is complemented by a Sino-European research and advisory institute that provides expert guidance on reforms of Chinese legislation.
Summer School on Chinese Law
The Summer School on Chinese Law, which has been held since 2007, is aimed at undergraduates, postgraduates, and legal practitioners who wish to gain initial insight into Chinese law or to deepen their existing knowledge. It is organized by the Sino-German Institute for Legal Studies (DCIR) at the Georg-August-University Göttingen in cooperation with the Max Planck Institute in Hamburg and addresses core topics, including the Chinese legal system, contract law, company law, and the law governing foreign investment.