On December 6, 2014, The fourth South China Business & Law Forum, focusing on "Legal Issues in China's Capital Markets and Financial Innovation", convened at the new building of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in Shenzhen.

Hosted by the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA), also known as the South China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, the seminar garnered support from various esteemed organizations, including the Supreme People's Court (SPC), the Ministry of Commerce and the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

Representatives from over 500 organizations, including executives from more than 200 listed companies and nearly 300 high-ranking officials from domestic and international internet enterprises and financial institutions, gathered in Shenzhen for profound discussions. Topics ranged from legal challenges in capital markets to the forefront of internet finance legislation.

Chairing the conference was Dr. Liu Xiaochun, Secretary General of the SCIA. Opening remarks were delivered by prominent figures such as Anthony Neoh, SC, Council Member of the SCIA; Song Liping, General Manager of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange; and Luo Dongchuan, President of the No 4 Civil Tribunal of the SPC. They highlighted the significance of the forum in addressing evolving legal landscapes amid China's market maturity.

A pivotal focus was on the evolving legal framework concerning mergers & acquisitions, and restructurings in listed companies. Experts deliberated on challenges facing capital market legislation, regulatory transformations, and the imperative for enhanced judicial oversight.

Notably, Song Liping, General Manager of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, emphasized the imperative for legal safeguards in capital markets. She outlined strategies to align administrative and judicial oversight, emphasizing the shift from pre-emptive to ongoing regulatory measures.

Addressing concerns around Internet finance, scholars and legal experts deliberated on emerging legal paradigms in the digital financial landscape. Discussions revolved around regulatory harmonization, innovation facilitation, and the role of judicial mechanisms in mitigating financial disputes.

In her closing remarks, Liu Zhumei, Deputy Chief Justice of the Second Civil Court of the SPC, underscored the judiciary's commitment to fostering a conducive legal environment for capital markets and financial innovation. She reiterated the judiciary's inclusive stance towards innovation while underscoring the paramount importance of legal standards in dispute resolution.

Participants hailed the forum as a vital platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, combining policy insights, judicial perspectives, and industry experiences. With robust participation from regulatory bodies, legal practitioners and academia, the event catalyzed rich exchanges and promised to shape the future trajectory of China's legal framework in financial markets.

The forum's legacy as a premier platform for legal discourse was underscored, with plans to further expand its influence in fostering legal dialogue and promoting market rule of law.

The event attracted luminaries from academia, the judiciary, regulatory bodies, and industry, reflecting its broad relevance to and impact on China's legal landscape.

Anthony Neoh, SC, Vice Chairman of the SCIA Council, Former Chairman of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, Co-Chairman of Asian Academy of International Law, delivers the welcome speech.

Song Liping, General Manager of Shenzhen Stock Exchange, delivers the opening speech.

Luo Dongchuan, President of the No 4 Civil Tribunal of the SPC, delivers a keynote speech.

Fu Yan, Director of the Legal Affairs Department of Shenzhen Stock Exchange and Arbitrator of the SCIA, presides over the first session.

Lu Zefeng, Deputy Director of the Department of Listed Company Supervision of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, delivers a keynote speech on the latest development and value orientation of regulatory policies for mergers and acquisitions of listed companies.

Sun Changjun, Vice President and General Counsel of Zoomlion Group and Vice Chairman of the Third South China Business & Law Forum, delivers a keynote speech themed of "The Legal Path of Mixed Ownership".

Xie Xuejun, Executive Director and General Counsel of SAIF Partners, and Arbitrator of the SCIA, delivers a keynote speech on "Venture Capital Funds and Mergers and Acquisitions of Listed Companies".

Experts make comments in the first stage.

Peng Bing, Professor of Peking University Law School, Deputy Director of Peking University Finance Law Research Center, and Arbitrator of the SCIA, delivers a keynote speech on "Legal Challenges Brought by Internet Finance".

Wu Jingli, Judge of the No 2 Civil Tribunal of the SPC, delivers a keynote speech on "Legal Litigation Issues of Internet Finance".

Wang Ying, Senior Legal Expert of the Legal Affairs and Compliance Department of the Ant Financial, delivers a speech themed of "Preliminary Legal Practice and Thinking of Internet Finance".

Huang Bin, Deputy General Manager of the Legal and Compliance Department of China Merchants Bank and Arbitrator of the SCIA, delivers a keynote speech on "Legal Issues Concerning Commercial Banks' Participation in P2P Online Loans".

Jiang Zeshen, Director of the Comprehensive Division of the Innovation Supervision Department of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, delivers a keynote speech on "Legal Regulation of Internet Finance".

Chen Guang, Legal Director of CreditEase, delivers a keynote speech on "Analysis of the Current Situation of 'Running Away' P2P and Suggestions for Future Regulation".

Wang Xiaoxia, Assistant General Counsel of Tencent Group and Arbitrator of the SCIA, delivers a keynote speech on "Internet credit reporting and its legal issues".

Experts make comments in the second stage.

Summary speech by Liu Zhumei, Vice-President of the No 2 Civil Tribunal of the SPC.

Yao Jun, Chairman of the South China Business & Law Forum, Chief Lawyer of Ping An Group of China, and Arbitrator of the SCIA, presides over the second session and delivers a closing speech at the seminar.

Li Xueling, one of the SCIA’s founders and Professor at Sun Yat-sen University School of Law attends the seminar.

Group photo of Guo Xiaowen, Chairman of the SCIA Council, Anthony Neoh, SC and Prof. Shen Sibao, Council Members of the SCIA.

Discussion between Guo Xiaowen, Chairman of the SCIA Council, and Jiao Jinhong, Director of Shenzhen Securities Regulatory Bureau.