Yao Yuan is an external PhD candidate at Leiden Law School’s Department of Company Law. Her research focuses on foreign direct investment screening mechanisms.

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Yao Yuan is an external PhD candidate at Leiden Law School’s Department of Company Law. She completed her Advanced LL.M. in European and International Business Law at Leiden University in 2016. She subsequently gained professional experience working for Dutch and international law firms in the Hague and Beijing. Her specialisms include M&A, IPOs and corporate financing.

Her PhD research focuses on the conflicting interests inherent in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening mechanisms. By comparing the screening mechanisms of the EU, the US and China, she analyses how governments can strike a balance between preserving the appropriate level of regulatory discretion in order to address national security concerns and ensuring an open environment for foreign investors.

In addition, Yao is actively involved in teaching advanced master’s courses in International Civil and Commercial Law and the bachelor’s courses in International Business Law at Leiden University. Yao is also a member of the CELIS NOW initiative and actively contributes to CELIS Institute conferences and events.