Hanmin Zhou, Professor of Law and Doctoral Supervisor, holds an Honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
He currently serves as a Member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee and President of the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association. Professor Zhou has previously served as Deputy District Chief of Pudong New Area, Deputy Director of Shanghai World Expo Bureau, Deputy Director of the Executive Committee of Shanghai World Expo, Director of the Shanghai China Vocational Education Society, President of Shanghai Institute of Socialism, Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and Vice Chairman of the China National Democratic Construction Association Central Committee.
Professor Zhou has extensive experience in international exchanges and engagements. As China’s Representative to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) and Deputy Director of the Shanghai World Expo Bid Office, he was stationed in Paris, France, to advance the bid for the World Expo. Following the successful bid, he was based in Shanghai to coordinate pavilion recruitment and participation services with countries and international organizations across the globe.
He has authored numerous publications, including General Theory of GATT, General Theory of the World Trade Organization, China’s Accession to the WTO, New Legal Systems for China’s Foreign Economic Relations and Trade, Shanghai Expo: Mission for Ten Years, The Expo and Me, A Chinese-English-French Dictionary of Expo 2010, Building Enduring Respect Through Kindness: The Practice of Shanghai Public Diplomacy, Regional Participation in World Expositions, Decent Friendship Wins True Respect: The Practice of Shanghai Public Diplomacy, and Rule of Law in China: Explorations and Practices from Expo 2010 to the China International Import Expo. Through these works, he has formulated practical standards for international conventions and exhibitions, as well as foreign-related services, laying a practical foundation for vocational skills training in foreign-related sectors.
During his tenure as Director of the Shanghai China Vocational Education Society, Professor Zhou prioritized reforms in vocational skills education and training. He led the compilation of China’s first blue book on vocational education, Vocational Education in Shanghai 2014. He continued to develop the brand of the “Zhonghua Cup” Vocational Skills Competition, conducted research on industry-education integration, vocational competency, and vocational education policies, and produced a wealth of exemplary cases, proposals, and recommendations. He also promoted skills exchanges between the Yangtze River Delta and Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, strengthened the Society’s organizational development, and advanced the cultivation of highly skilled professionals.
Meanwhile, Professor Zhou has devoted himself extensively to legal research and education, covering fields including but not limited to international economic law, international trade law, and GATT/WTO. He has also been appointed Honorary Professor at the University of Venice (Italy), Fudan University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, among other prestigious institutions. He has been conferred numerous prestigious honours, including National Outstanding Model Teacher, the Eisenhower Fellowship Award (United States), and National Distinguished Young and Middle-Aged Expert with Outstanding Contributions. His academic and pedagogical achievements have earned widespread recognition both in China and abroad.