ICML China 2000

FOLLOWING the adoption of the new Maritime Procedural Law in China in July, the fourth International Conference on Maritime Law (ICML) in China this October should be a timely and well-attended event. The third ICML, held in Beijing in 1998, attracted 149 Chinese and 88 foreign participants - a useful indication of the international appeal of the event.

Shenzhen, the first special economic zone of China, is hosting this year's event at the Shenzhen Wuzhou Guest House on 24-26 October, 2000. With welcome dinners, gala dinners and excursions to Chinese Folk Culture Villages, there is plenty to appeal to delegates and guests alike. For the delegates, however, there is work to be done.

Between the opening and closing ceremony, there will be nine working sessions addressing a wide range of topics including the New Special Procedural Law for Maritime Litigation of the PRC, the New Contract Law of the PRC and its impact on the carriage of goods by sea, the US Ocean Shipping Reform Act 1998 and the 1999 Arrest Convention. With speakers expected from China, the UK, the USA, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland and Greece, there will be no shortage of international flavour.

Other topics to be discussed include the legal issues pertaining to logistics, freight forwarder administration and its legislation and macro-control on the international container transport market, bill of lading and charter party issues, and comparative studies on Chinese maritime law and international conventions, or relevant laws of other countries.

Marine insurance also comes under the spotlight with a look at the establishment and effectiveness of marine insurance contracts, regime of abandonment and subrogation and marine insurance fraud.

Delegates will have plenty of opportunity to air their views, with dedicated sessions at the end of each working session to debate the issues raised. The conference will take place entirely in English, including floor discussions and debates.

A glance at the list of companies and organisations involved in the 2000 conference gives some idea of the invaluable networking opportunities that such an event offers. This year, the ICML is hosted by the China Maritime Law Association (CMLA) and supported by the People's Insurance Company of China (PICC), China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), China National Foreign Shipping (Group) Company (SINOTRANS), China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), The Ministry of Communications of the PRC (MOC), The Supreme People's Court of the PRC (SPC) and the All China Lawyers' Association (ACLA). The level of local interest is also high, with no less than ten maritime law firms in China contributing to the event.

For those planning to extend their stay beyond the conference, Shenzhen has much to offer. Since its establishment as the first special economic zone of China in 1980, Shenzhen has worked hard to turn itself from a frontier village into a modern city. It also boasts one of the busiest airports in China and its port ranks among the top eight major ports in the country.

For guests accompanying delegates, there is a comprehensive programme of organised trips to see the sights and sounds of Shenzhen. They are also more than welcome to the reception, welcome dinner and closing and gala dinners.

For more information regarding the fourth International Conference on Maritime Law the conference co-ordinator, Henry & Co Law Firm, can be contacted at:

Henry & Co Law Firm of Shenzhen
Room 1301 Hualian Mansion
Mis-Shennan Road
Shenzhen
PR China 518 031
Tel. +86 755 3998 639
Fax. +86 755 3668 685
email: szsh...@public.szptt.net.cn

Registration

The registration fee for delegates is $980. This fee includes attendance at all working sessions, conference working materials, tea and coffee breaks, lunches from 24-26 October, welcome reception on 23 October, opening ceremony and welcome dinner on 24 October, closing and gala dinner on 26 October plus excursion to Chinese Folk Culture Villages and Splendid China. For accompanying persons the fee is $490 and includes lunches from 24-26 October, welcome reception, opening and welcome dinner, closing and gala dinner and full tour programme.