Jointly set up by Nanjing University and Göttingen University on November 4, 1989, the Institute is one of the most renowned of its kind, educating students from both countries in joint master programmes that lead to degrees in both countries, analysing the differences and similarities of the two legal systems and also being closely involved in the bilateral “Rule of Law Dialogue” between China and Germany. Since its founding the Institute has provided profound legal education in German and Chinese law to hundreds of students who all have spent part of their student life in Germany and China and are fluent to a professional level in the languages of both countries, thereby functioning as a living bridge connecting both legal systems and fostering the mutual understanding.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (c.) during a discussion with students at the Sino-German Institute of Law Studies on August 28, 2007

Alumni Annual Meeting of the Sino-German Institute of Law Studies in 2016, with participation of the President of the University of Göttingen, Prof. Dr. Ulrike Beisiegel (front row, 6th from left).