In June 2018 Chatham House and the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) held a two-day roundtable in Beijing...exploring China and the international legal order [on emerging issues such as]:

...Business and human rights including in the context of the BRI [Belt and Road Initiative]...

Participants discussed human rights and sustainable development in the context of China's BRI, a network of planned capital projects in transport, trade and other economic infrastructure in dozens of countries across Asia, Central Asia and beyond. It was noted that Chinese companies are now the secondbiggest investors around the globe...This poses challenges in terms of human rights and sustainable development, especially since 85 per cent of Chinese outward investment is directed to developing countries. The sectors in which Chinese companies invest are also high-risk...
Environmental and labour provisions in China's regional trade agreements...

One participant argued that China historically did not pay much attention to environmental protection...In its more recent regional trade agreements, China has shown increased willingness to include substantive environmental provisions...
It was pointed out that China continues to maintain a cautious approach on the rights of workers...
Participants also discussed the need for businesses to act responsibly under pillar two of the UN's Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).