With changes to the international investment law landscape and Asian countries now actively developing their network of bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and free trade agreements (FTAs), this volume studies issues relating to Asian perspectives on international investment law and forecasts the future of Asian contribution to its science and practice. The book discusses the major factors that have been driving Asian countries to new directions in international investment rule-making and dispute settlement. It also looks at whether Asian countries are crafting a new model of international investment law to reflect their specific socio-cultural values. Finally, the book examines whether there are any ‘Asian’ styles of international investment rule-making and dispute settlement, or if individual Asian countries are seeking specific national ‘models’ based on economic structure and geopolitical interests. This unique collection is exceptionally useful to students, scholars and practitioners of international investment law, international trade law and public international law.

The book focuses on some of the most pressing issues in international investment law in Asia, such as the role of developing countries, the rebalancing between the investors’ rights protection and the host states’ right to regulate, the ISDS reform, among others. The book investigates these issues by looking into the bilateral investment treaties and investment arbitration cases in the region. The readers will benefit from this book’s rich content and wide coverage. For instance, the readers would learn more about Asian states’ Bilateral Investment Treaty law and practice and their standing on international investment law. The book provides a fresh angle to most readers who may be more exposed to the Western perspective on the topic, providing a more complete picture to add to the readers’ understanding of international investment law and in particular its evolution and future possibilities.

Increasing and intensified cross-border economic exchange such as trade and investment is an important feature of globalization. In the past, a distinction could be made between capital importing and exporting countries, or host and home countries for foreign direct investment (FDI). Due to globalization, FDI is presently made by and in both developed and developing countries. Differences in political, economic and legal systems and culture are no longer obstacles for FDI, and to varying degrees the economic development of almost all countries is closely linked with the inflow of FDI. This book conducts critical assessments of aspects of current international law on FDI, focusing on cases decided by the tribunals of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and other tribunals as well as decisions of annulment ad hoc committees of the ICSID. In examining such cases, Guiguo Wang takes into account the Chinese culture and China’s practice in the related areas. The book explores topics including: the development and trend of international investment law; unilateral, bilateral and multilateral mechanisms for encouraging and protecting FDIs; determination of qualified investors and investments and consent as conditions for protection; relative and absolute standards of treatment; determination of expropriation in practice; assessment of compensation for expropriation; difficulties in enforcing investment arbitral awards; and alternatives for improving the existing system. The book will be of great use and interest to scholars, practitioners and students of international investment law and international economic law, Asian law, and Chinese studies.

International Investment Treaties and Arbitration Across Asia brings together leading academics and practitioners to examine whether and how the Asian region has or may become a significant ‘rule maker’ in contemporary international investment law and dispute resolution. The editors introduce FDI trends and regulations, investment treaties and arbitration across Asia. Authors add country studies for the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as an overview of ASEAN treaties, or examine other potential ‘middle powers’ (Korea, Australia and New Zealand collectively) and the emerging ‘big players’ (China, Japan and India). Two early chapters present econometric studies of treaty impact on FDI flows, in aggregate as well as for Thailand, while two concluding chapters offer other normative and forward-looking perspectives.

This book considers foreign investment flows in major Asian economies. It critically assesses the patterns and issues involved in the substantive law and policy environment which impact on investment flows, as well as the related dispute resolution law and practice. The book combines insights from international law and comparative study and is attentive to the socio-economic contexts and competing theories of the role of law in Asia. Contributions come from both academics with considerable practical expertise and legal practitioners with strong academic backgrounds. The chapters analyze the law and practice of investment treaties and FDI regimes in Asia looking specifically at developments in Japan, India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea and Vietnam. The book explores the impact of the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 1990s and the Global Financial Crisis a decade later, examining actual trends and policy debates relating to FDI and capital flows in Asia before and after those upheavals. Foreign Investment and Dispute Resolution: Law and Practice in Asia is a valuable resource for practitioners, academics and students of International and Comparative Law, Business and Finance Law, Business, Finance and Asian Studies.

Critically discusses the increasing significance of Asian States in the field of international investment law and policy. Contains analyses of national investment law rule-making in Asia, contributions of Asian States on cutting-edge developments to the global community, and contemplates future possibilities for investor-State dispute settlement.