Staff profile

Bio

Professor Ming Du is Professor in Chinese Law and the Co-Director of Global Policy Institute. Prior to joining Durham in September 2019, he was Professor in Chinese & Comparative Law at University of Surrey from April 2016, and Reader in International Business Law at Lancaster University from September 2013. He was raised in China and completed his Chinese law training at Tsinghua University School of Law in Beijing. He holds an LLM from Harvard Law School, where he was a Victor and William Fung Fellow and a DPhil from University of Oxford (Brasenose College) where he was a Clarendon Scholar.

His current research focuses on the theoretical and structural issues of global economic governance (trade, investment and finance), China's approach to international law, and the development of the rule of law in contemporary China. He also retains a strong interest in corporate law and cross-border business transations in which he practiced as a qualified lawyer in both New York and Beijing for a number of years. 

He sits on editorial boards of Chinese Journal of International Law, the Journal of World Investment &Trade, Asia Pacific Law Review, and the Chinese Journal of Transnational Law. 

• China's Approach to International Law
• Comparative Law
• Foreign Investment Law
• International Dispute Settlement
• Public International Law and International Relations
• The Rule of Law in China
• World trade law (WTO)

Authored book

• The Regulation of Product Standards in World Trade Law
  
  Du, M. (2020). The Regulation of Product Standards in World Trade Law. Hart Publishing.

Book review

• A Chinese Theory of International Law
  
  Du, M. (2021). A Chinese Theory of International Law. Asian Journal of International Law, 11(2), 392-393. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2882-8
• China in the International Economic Order: New Paradigms and New Directions
  
  Du, M. (2016). China in the International Economic Order: New Paradigms and New Directions. Social and Legal Studies, 25(1), 123-126.
• The BRIC States and Outward Foreign Direct Investment
  
  Du, M. (2015). The BRIC States and Outward Foreign Direct Investment. Journal of International Investment and Trade, 16(4), 745-750.

Chapter in book

• The dejudicialization of global economic governance: a paradigm shift in international economic law?
  
  Du, M. (in press). The dejudicialization of global economic governance: a paradigm shift in international economic law?. In J. Slawotsky (Ed.), A Research Agenda for Global Power Shifts and International Economic Law (pp. 107-126). Edward Elgar.
• China Subsidy Problem and the Limits of the SCM Agreement
  
  Du, M. (in press). China Subsidy Problem and the Limits of the SCM Agreement. In D. Collins & V. Vadi (Eds.), Routledge Handbook on International Economic Law. Routledge.
• State-owned Enterprises
  
  Du, M. (2025). State-owned Enterprises. In J. Chaisse & C. Herrmann (Eds.), The International Law of Economic Integration (pp. 963-976). Oxford University Press.
• The Future of Investor-State Dispute Settlement in the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment
  
  Du, M. (2024). The Future of Investor-State Dispute Settlement in the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment. In A. Svetlicinii & I.-J. Chen (Eds.), The EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment: Towards a Binding Investment Liberalization (pp. 211-232). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-66862-3_11
• China’s Green Industrial Policy and Its Implications for the EU– China Relationship
  
  Du, M. (2024). China’s Green Industrial Policy and Its Implications for the EU– China Relationship. In F. Cappelletti & G. Pogorel (Eds.), Sustainable? Competitive? The EU’s Industrial Autonomy – Facts and Fantasies (pp. 61-66). European Liberal Forum. https://doi.org/10.53121/ELFS7
• The Role of International Investment Agreements in Protecting China’s Outbound FDI
  
  Mao, Y. Q., & Du, M. (2024). The Role of International Investment Agreements in Protecting China’s Outbound FDI. In D. Dimitrijević (Ed.), The Serbian Yearbook of International Law (pp. 158-201). Serbian International Law Association.
• Article 4 and Annex 3 TBT: Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards and Code of Good Practice
  
  Du, M. (2023). Article 4 and Annex 3 TBT: Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards and Code of Good Practice. In M. Wagner (Ed.), Commentaries on World Trade Law: Volume 4 Technical Barriers and SPS Measures (pp. 400-425). Brill Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1163/2666-4941_wtco_com_2005
• Dashed Hopes? The Limits of International Economic Norms in Promoting the Rule of Law in China
  
  Du, M. (2023). Dashed Hopes? The Limits of International Economic Norms in Promoting the Rule of Law in China. In S. Hua (Ed.), Chinese Legality: Ideology, Law and Institutions (pp. 73-93). Routledge.
• Chinese State-Owned Enterprises and International Investment Law
  
  Du, M. (2023). Chinese State-Owned Enterprises and International Investment Law. In P. Delimatsis, G. Dimitropoulos, & A. Gourgourinis (Eds.), State Capitalism and International Investment Law (pp. 161-184). Bloomsbury. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781509963003.ch-008
• Towards a Win-Win EU-China Bilateral Investment Treaty: Challenges and Prospects
  
  Bush, C., & Du, M. (2022). Towards a Win-Win EU-China Bilateral Investment Treaty: Challenges and Prospects. In Y.-C. Kim (Ed.), China and the Belt and Road Initiative (1st ed., pp. 145-177). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86122-3_7
• The Future of Investor-State Dispute Settlement: Exploring China’s Changing Attitude
  
  Du, M., & Shen, W. (2021). The Future of Investor-State Dispute Settlement: Exploring China’s Changing Attitude. In J. Chaisse, L. Choukroune, & S. Jusoh (Eds.), Handbook of international investment law and policy. (pp. 2483-2506). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3615-7_86
• Is the 'Belt and Road' Initiative the Chinese Vision of Global Governance?
  
  Kong, Q., & Du, M. (2020). Is the ’Belt and Road’ Initiative the Chinese Vision of Global Governance?. In M. Giuseppe & X. Wu (Eds.), A Legal Analysis of the Belt & Road Initiative: Towards a New Silk Road? (pp. 5-20). Palgrave. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46000-6
• The Place of Chinese State-owned Enterprises in WTO Law: An Analysis of United States- Definitive Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duties on Certain Products from China
  
  Du, M. (2015). The Place of Chinese State-owned Enterprises in WTO Law: An Analysis of United States- Definitive Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duties on Certain Products from China. In W. Shan & Q. Liu (Eds.), China and International Commercial Dispute Resolution (pp. 306-332). Brill Academic Publishers.
• Look before You Leap: The Case for China's Tripartite Strategy towards the Trans-Pacific Partnership
  
  Du, M. (2014). Look before You Leap: The Case for China’s Tripartite Strategy towards the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In J. Hu & M. Vanhullebusch (Eds.), Regional Cooperation and Free Trade Agreements in Asia (pp. 99-119). Brill Academic Publishers.
• Standard of Review in TBT Cases
  
  Du, M. (2013). Standard of Review in TBT Cases. In T. Epps & M. J. Trebilcock (Eds.), Research Handbook on the WTO and Technical Barriers to Trade (pp. 164-203). Edward Elgar Publishing.
• China's Approach to International Law
  
  Chen, G., & Du, M. (n.d.). China’s Approach to International Law. In R. Schütze & M. Siems (Eds.), Comparative International Law: Foundations and Critique [Contracted by publisher]. Hart Publishing.

Journal Article

• Introduction to the Special Issue: China and New Challenges to International Economic Law
  
  Du, M. (2025). Introduction to the Special Issue: China and New Challenges to International Economic Law. East Asia. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12140-025-09453-3
• China’s Green Industrial Policy and World Trade Law
  
  Li, X., & Du, M. (2025). China’s Green Industrial Policy and World Trade Law. East Asia. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12140-025-09447-1
• The Dejudicialization of International Dispute Settlement: A Paradigm Shift in International Economic Law?
  
  Du, M., & Peng, D. L. (2024). The Dejudicialization of International Dispute Settlement: A Paradigm Shift in International Economic Law?. Journal of World Trade, 58(6), 895-918.
• International Investment Law and the Rule of Law: The Case of China
  
  Du, M. (2024). International Investment Law and the Rule of Law: The Case of China. Washington International Law Journal, 33(2), Article 5.
• International Economic Law in the Era of Great Power Rivalry
  
  Du, M. (2024). International Economic Law in the Era of Great Power Rivalry. Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, 57(3), 723-794.
• Explaining China’s approach to investor-state dispute settlement reform: a contextual perspective
  
  Du, M. (2023). Explaining China’s approach to investor-state dispute settlement reform: a contextual perspective. European Law Journal, 28(4-6), 281-303. https://doi.org/10.1111/eulj.12468
• Unpacking the Black Box of China's State Capitalism
  
  Du, M. (2023). Unpacking the Black Box of China’s State Capitalism. German Law Journal, 24(1), 125-150. https://doi.org/10.1017/glj.2023.2
• Huawei Strikes Back: Challenging National Security Decisions before Investment Arbitral Tribunals
  
  Du, M. (2023). Huawei Strikes Back: Challenging National Security Decisions before Investment Arbitral Tribunals. Emory International Law Review, 37(1), 1-54.
• From ‘Non-market Economy’ to ‘Significant Market Distortions’: rethinking the EU anti-dumping regulation and China’s state interventionism
  
  Du, M. (2022). From ‘Non-market Economy’ to ‘Significant Market Distortions’: rethinking the EU anti-dumping regulation and China’s state interventionism. Yearbook of European Law, 41, 314-347. https://doi.org/10.1093/yel/yeac004
• China's State-owned Enterprises and International Investment Law
  
  Du, M. (2022). China’s State-owned Enterprises and International Investment Law. Georgetown Journal of International Law, 53(4), Article 627-734.
• The Status of Chinese State-owned Enterprises in International Investment Arbitration: Much Ado about Nothing?
  
  Du, M. (2021). The Status of Chinese State-owned Enterprises in International Investment Arbitration: Much Ado about Nothing?. Chinese Journal of International Law, 20(4), 785-815. https://doi.org/10.1093/chinesejil/jmab040
• Clearing the fog: Forest Stewardship Council labelling and the World Trade Organization
  
  Du, M. (2021). Clearing the fog: Forest Stewardship Council labelling and the World Trade Organization. Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 30(1), 81-94. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12373
• Voluntary Eco-Labels in International Trade Law: A Case Study of the EU Eco-Label
  
  Du, M. (2021). Voluntary Eco-Labels in International Trade Law: A Case Study of the EU Eco-Label. Journal of Environmental Law, 33(1), 167-193. https://doi.org/10.1093/jel/eqaa022
• Explaining the Limits of the WTO in Shaping the Rule of Law in China
  
  Du, M., & Kong, Q. (2020). Explaining the Limits of the WTO in Shaping the Rule of Law in China. Journal of International Economic Law, 23(4), 885-905. https://doi.org/10.1093/jiel/jgaa027
• WTO Regulation of Transnational Private Authority in Global Governance
  
  Du, M. (2018). WTO Regulation of Transnational Private Authority in Global Governance. International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 67(4), 867-902. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0020589318000313
• How to Define 'Public Morals' in WTO Law? A Critique of Brazil-Taxation and Charges Panel Report
  
  Du, M. (2018). How to Define ’Public Morals’ in WTO Law? A Critique of Brazil-Taxation and Charges Panel Report. Global Trade and Customs Journal, 13(2), 69-74. https://doi.org/10.54648/gtcj2018010
• Re- Conceptualising the Role of Science in International Trade Disputes
  
  Du, M. (2018). Re- Conceptualising the Role of Science in International Trade Disputes. Journal of World Trade, 52(5), 697-720.
• The Regulation of Chinese State-owned Enterprises in National Foreign Investment Laws: A Comparative Analysis
  
  Du, M. (2016). The Regulation of Chinese State-owned Enterprises in National Foreign Investment Laws: A Comparative Analysis. Global Journal of Comparative Law, 5(1), 118-145. https://doi.org/10.1163/2211906X-00501006
• EC-Seal Products: A New Baseline for the Global Economic Governance and National Regulatory Autonomy Debate in the Multilateral Trading System
  
  Du, M., & Kong, Q. (2016). EC-Seal Products: A New Baseline for the Global Economic Governance and National Regulatory Autonomy Debate in the Multilateral Trading System. Manchester Journal of International Economic Law, 13(1), 2-21.
• The Necessity Test in World Trade Law: What Now?
  
  Du, M. (2016). The Necessity Test in World Trade Law: What Now?. Chinese Journal of International Law, 15(4), 817-847.
• Permitting Moral Imperialism: The Public Morals Exception to Free Trade at the Bar of the World Trade Organization
  
  Du, M. (2016). Permitting Moral Imperialism: The Public Morals Exception to Free Trade at the Bar of the World Trade Organization. Journal of World Trade, 50(4), 675-704.
• International Standards as Global Public Goods in the World Trading System
  
  Du, M., & Deng, F. (2016). International Standards as Global Public Goods in the World Trading System. Legal Issues of Economic Integration, 43(2), 113-144.
• 'Treatment No Less Favourable' and the Future of National Treatment Obligation in Article III:4 of the GATT 1994 after EC - Seals
  
  Du, M. (2016). ’Treatment No Less Favourable’ and the Future of National Treatment Obligation in Article III:4 of the GATT 1994 after EC - Seals. World Trade Review, 15(1), 139-163.
• China's 'one Belt, One Road' Initiative: Context, Focus, Institutions, and Implications
  
  Du, M. (2016). China’s ’one Belt, One Road’ Initiative: Context, Focus, Institutions, and Implications. Chinese Journal of Global Governance, 2(1), 30-43. https://doi.org/10.1163/23525207-12340014
• Explaining China's Tripartite Strategy toward the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
  
  Du, M. (2015). Explaining China’s Tripartite Strategy toward the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. Journal of International Economic Law, 18(2), 407-432. https://doi.org/10.1093/jiel/jgv021
• What is a Technical Regulation in the TBT Agreement?
  
  Du, M. (2015). What is a Technical Regulation in the TBT Agreement?. European Journal of Risk Regulation, 6(3), 396-404.
• Taking Stock: What Do We Know, and Do Not Know, about the National Treatment Obligation in the GATT/WTO Legal System?
  
  Du, M. (2015). Taking Stock: What Do We Know, and Do Not Know, about the National Treatment Obligation in the GATT/WTO Legal System?. Chinese Journal of Global Governance, 1(1), 67-95. https://doi.org/10.1163/23525207-00000005
• The Case against China's Joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership
  
  Du, M. (2015). The Case against China’s Joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Transnational Dispute Management, 12(1), 1-13.
• China's State Capitalism and World Trade Law
  
  Du, M. (2014). China’s State Capitalism and World Trade Law. International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 63(2), 409-448. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0020589314000062
• When China's National Champions Go Global: Nothing to Fear but Fear itself?
  
  Du, M. (2014). When China’s National Champions Go Global: Nothing to Fear but Fear itself?. Journal of World Trade, 48(6), 1127-1166.
• Has the WTO Appellate Body Pushed the Limits of Global Governance in China-Publications Case?
  
  Du, M. (2012). Has the WTO Appellate Body Pushed the Limits of Global Governance in China-Publications Case?. Chinese Journal of International Law, 11(1), 227-234. https://doi.org/10.1093/chinesejil/jmr056
• The Rise of National Regulatory Autonomy in the GATT/WTO Regime
  
  Du, M. (2011). The Rise of National Regulatory Autonomy in the GATT/WTO Regime. Journal of International Economic Law, 14(3), 639-675.
• Reducing Product Standards Heterogeneity through International Standards in the WTO: How Far across the River?
  
  Du, M. (2010). Reducing Product Standards Heterogeneity through International Standards in the WTO: How Far across the River?. Journal of World Trade, 44(2), 295-318. https://doi.org/10.54648/trad2010010
• Autonomy in Setting Appropriate Level of Protection under the WTO Law: Rhetoric or Reality?
  
  Du, M. (2010). Autonomy in Setting Appropriate Level of Protection under the WTO Law: Rhetoric or Reality?. Journal of International Economic Law, 13(4), 1077-1102.
• Standard of Review under the SPS Agreement after EC - Hormones II
  
  Du, M. (2010). Standard of Review under the SPS Agreement after EC - Hormones II. International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 59(2), 441-459.
• Does China Need Competition Law?
  
  Du, M., & Li, K. X. (2007). Does China Need Competition Law?. Journal of Business Law, 2007(3), 182-208.
• Domestic Regulatory Autonomy under the TBT Agreement: From Non-Discrimination to Harmonization
  
  Du, M. (2007). Domestic Regulatory Autonomy under the TBT Agreement: From Non-Discrimination to Harmonization. Chinese Journal of International Law, 6(2), 269-306. https://doi.org/10.1093/chinesejil/jmm022
• Antitrust control of mergers and acquisitions: a case study of China
  
  Li, K. X., Che, P., & Du, M. (2005). Antitrust control of mergers and acquisitions: a case study of China. Journal of Business Law, 2005(9), 597-616.