About the Fourth Competition

Overview

On May 11–12, 2025, the Fourth Belt and Road Initiative Simulation Competition was successfully held at the East China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPL) in Shanghai. Co-hosted by FLIA (Foundation for Law and International Affairs) and ECUPL, this year’s event brought together 68 universities from across China, marking a new milestone in scale, participation, and impact.

An Interdisciplinary and Immersive Learning Experience

The competition simulated a complex trans-Pacific investment negotiation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Participants—undergraduate and postgraduate students from disciplines including law, international relations, economics, business, and public policy—took on the roles of multinational investors, local governments, NGOs, and international organizations.

All negotiations were conducted in English, challenging students to work through legal, political, and cultural tensions. Their performance reflected not only high-level legal reasoning and business insight but also exceptional cross-cultural communication and negotiation skills.

Awards and Recognition

Following two days of intensive rounds, the Gold Prize was awarded to teams from:

Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Sichuan University
Tongji University
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
(listed in alphabetical order by pinyin)

The Silver Prize went to teams from 13 universities:

Anhui University of Finance and Economics
Beijing Jiaotong University
Northeast Forestry University
University of International Business and Economics
East China University of Political Science and Law
Nantong University
Shanghai University of International Business and Economics
Shanghai University of Political Science and Law
Shenzhen University
Wenzhou-Kean University
Southwest University of Political Science and Law
Zhejiang Normal University

(listed in alphabetical order by pinyin)

Diverse Expert Participation

More than 50 experts and professionals from academia and legal practice—both domestic and international—served as judges. Their feedback and engagement enriched the learning experience and provided participants with meaningful guidance on navigating global governance challenges.

Speakers at the closing ceremony included professors, legal practitioners, and university leaders who shared inspiring reflections on global education, international cooperation, and the future of interdisciplinary talent development.

Teamwork Behind the Scenes

This event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our volunteers and collaborators. Over 50 volunteers contributed to various aspects of the event—from negotiation support to venue logistics—demonstrating remarkable professionalism and passion. Special thanks go to Jihe Peng, Yuxin Cai, Huihui Yang, and Fengzhi Huang, among many others, for their invaluable support.

We also appreciate the institutional support from Beijing Normal University Law School, DHH Law Firm (Shanghai Office), and Shaoxing Yucha Village for their contributions.

Expanding Global Reach

Since its launch at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in 2017, the Belt and Road Initiative Simulation Competition has grown into a widely recognized practical training platform in global legal and policy education. The competition has been hosted by and integrated into the curricula of prominent Chinese and international institutions, including:

East China University of Political Science and Law
Wenzhou-Kean University
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
University College Cork (Ireland)
Tsinghua University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University

FLIA remains committed to further expanding the international influence and educational value of this initiative.

A Message from the President of FLIA

“This competition is more than an academic exercise. It’s a transformative experience where students practice cooperation, courage, and critical thinking in a global context. I am proud of every participant and grateful to our partners and volunteers who made this possible. Together, we are building a generation of bridge-builders for the future.”
— Dr. Shaoming Zhu, President, FLIA