SHANGHAI, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A law studies center was opened Sunday in Shanghai by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and New York University (NYU), in a move to enhance bilateral cooperation in this area.

The center was co-founded by the schools of law with the two universities and is based in SJTU.

The center will a periodically publish thesises and books on the development of the American laws and comparisons of Chinese and American laws, said Prof. Zheng Chengliang, dean of SJTU's Law School and one of the two joint directors of the new center.

The center will work with ALI-ABA (American Law Institute-American Bar Association) to jointly hold seminars, Zheng said.

It will offer selective courses on American laws for Chinese students and invite NYU law professors to teach. Exchanges of visiting scholars and students is also being considered, Zheng said.

"In addition, the center will provide information about American laws to Chinese academic institutions, governmental departments and businesses," he added.

Jerome Cohen, professor of NYU's Law School and joint director of the law studies center, said that the founding of the center and law exchanges between renowned Chinese and American universities will serve as a bridge for the cooperation between Chinese and American law circles.