General Course Information
1.1 Course details
| Course code: | LLAW6344 / JDOC6344 |
| Course name: | China AI Governance in a Comparative Perspective |
| Programme offered under: | LLM Programme / JD Programme |
| Semester: | Second |
| Prerequisites / Co-requisites: | No |
| Credit point value: | 9 credits / 6 credits |
| Cap on student numbers: | 60 |
1.2 Course description
Artificial intelligence is reshaping economies, governments, and societies around the world. Fundamental questions have emerged regarding how artificial intelligence should be governed and how different legal and political systems respond to the opportunities and risks presented by this transformative technology. This course explores these questions through a focused and comparative study of China’s rapidly evolving AI governance framework. It examines China’s distinctive approach alongside other leading regulatory models, particularly those of the European Union, while situating both within broader global debates on AI regulation, innovation, ethics, and governance.
Students will examine the technological foundations of AI, the legal and philosophical principles underlying technology governance, and the institutions, laws, and policies that shape AI development and deployment. The course covers key topics including data governance, algorithmic regulation, digital platforms, AI in public administration and social governance, sector-specific applications, standards and technical regulation, soft law, regulatory experimentation, and emerging approaches to AI risk management.
Beyond domestic regulation, the course analyzes AI governance in the context of global technological competition, digital sovereignty, and international cooperation. It also considers how advances in AI are transforming legal institutions and policymaking, raising new questions about innovation, accountability, human rights, and the future of governance.
Designed for students interested in law, public policy, technology, and international affairs, the course equips participants with both substantive knowledge and practical research skills. Students will learn how to conduct rigorous legal and interdisciplinary research on AI governance, critically evaluate regulatory frameworks, and assess emerging legal and policy developments in one of the most dynamic fields of contemporary law.
1.3 Course teachers
| Name | E-mail address | Office | Consultation | |
| Course convenor | Liang LI | ll549@cantab.ac.uk | TBA | By email |
Learning Outcomes
2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course
CLO 1 Be familiar with the technological evolution of artificial intelligence and the key governance challenges it raises across different legal and institutional contexts.
CLO 2 Critically analyse the theoretical foundations, goals, and principles to AI governance in China and in comparative jurisdictions.
CLO 3 Describe the legal, institutional, and soft-law frameworks governing AI in China and selected comparative jurisdictions.
CLO 4 Explain the key data governance frameworks and regulatory approaches in representative AI-related sectors in China, as well as the dynamics of global regulatory competition.
CLO 5 Understand the welfare implications of AI and demonstrate the ability to apply comparative legal and governance analysis to emerging issues in AI governance.
2.2 LLM and JD Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Please refer to the following link:
LLM – https://course.law.hku.hk/llm-plo/
JD – https://course.law.hku.hk/jd-plo/
2.3 Programme Learning Outcomes to be achieved in this course
| PLO A | PLO B | PLO C | PLO D | PLO E | PLO F | |
| CLO 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 5 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Assessment(s)
3.1 Assessment Summary
| Assessment task | Weighting | Feedback method* | Course learning outcomes |
| Class attendance and participation | 30% | 5 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Presentation | 30% | 5 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Take-home essay | 40% | 1 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| *Feedback method (to be determined by course teacher) | |
| 1 | A general course report to be disseminated through Moodle |
| 2 | Individual feedback to be disseminated by email / through Moodle |
| 3 | Individual review meeting upon appointment |
| 4 | Group review meeting |
| 5 | In-class verbal feedback |
3.2 Assessment Detail
- Class attendance and participation (30%): This will comprise of a combination of class attendance and discussion participation.
- Presentation (30%): Each student needs to choose one topic from the topic list and make a presentation related to the topic. Depending on the size of the class, students may be assigned to groups. The course professor will make the final grouping decision. Every student needs to present.
- Take-home essay (40%): Based on the chosen topic and presentation, each student needs to submit a take-home essay within 10 natural days of the end of the course. This is an absolute deadline and no further extension will be approved. The take-home essay must be completed individually. The maximum length for the take-home essay is 3,000 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography.
The take-home essay will be graded based on quality of legal analyses, written expression and demonstrated familiarity with course materials, lectures, and subject-matter. If handed in late, your exam paper will be penalised at the rate of 3 points per day and will not be accepted later than 7 calendar days after the deadline.
The Law Faculty’s rules prohibiting cheating, plagiarism and taking unfair advantage apply strictly to take-home essay.
3.3 Grading Criteria
Please refer to the following link: https://www.law.hku.hk/_files/law_programme_grade_descriptors.pdf
Learning Activities
4.1 Learning Activity Plan
| Seminar: | 3 hours intensive course from January to April 2027 |
| Private study time: | 10 hours / week for 11 teaching weeks |
Remarks: the normative student study load per credit unit is 25 ± 5 hours (ie. 150 ± 30 hours for a 6-credit course), which includes all learning activities and experiences within and outside of classroom, and any assessment task and examinations and associated preparations.
4.2 Details of Learning Activities
Please refer to the Course Outline on Moodle.
Learning Resources
5.1 Resources
| Reading materials: | Will be posted on Moodle with the progress of the course |
| Core reading list: | Will be provided with the progress of the course |
| Recommended reading list: | Will be provided with the progress of the course |
5.2 Links
Please refer to the following link: http://www.law.hku.hk/course/learning-resources/