From February 17 to 19, Jiang Zeting, Council Chair of China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL), led a delegation to visit the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Macao SAR. The visit focused on advancing legal education to support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), establishing a top-tier research cooperation platform, and launching new programs for training of foreign-related legal professionals. During the visit, CUPL signed multiple cooperation agreements and reached broad consensus with University of Hong Kong (HKU), Department of Justice (DOJ) of the Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), and Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST). These efforts aim to chart a new course for high-quality legal education exchanges and cooperation between the mainland of China and Hong Kong/Macao.
Visit to Macau University of Science and Technology(MUST)
On the afternoon of February 17, CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting and his delegation visited Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), where they engaged in in-depth discussions with President Joseph Hun-wei Lee, Dean of the Faculty of Law Fang Quan, and other representatives. The discussions centered on interdisciplinary talent cultivation, joint research collaboration, and expanding student and faculty exchange programs. Assistant Dean Yi Zaicheng and Curriculum Director Xie Gengliang of the Faculty of Law also attended the meeting.
CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting noted that in December 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited MUST, commending its achievements in higher education and high-tech innovation. President Xi also expressed high expectations for MUST to continue playing a vital role in deepening cooperation between Macao SAR and the mainland of China. In 2017, MUST was among the first 16 universities to join the "Mainland-Hong Kong-Macao Legal Education Alliance" (hereinafter referred to as “the Alliance”) in response to CUPL’s initiative. Since forming a partnership in 2018, CUPL and MUST have continuously expanded academic exchanges and collaborations. Jiang emphasized the importance of further enriching cooperation, strengthening integration, and leveraging each institution’s strengths. He underscored the need to expand joint programs in interdisciplinary legal education, particularly at the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital technology, and law. Additionally, he stressed the significance of facilitating resource sharing, and fostering multilateral, diversified, and multi-level collaboration among Alliance member institutions to cultivate foreign-related legal professionals.
President Joseph Hun-wei Lee spoke highly of CUPL’s contributions to China’s legal development, its academic achievements, and its success in talent cultivation. He reaffirmed MUST’s commitment to implementing collaborative programs in interdisciplinary legal education and strengthening collaboration in research data sharing sharing, faculty development, and bilateral student exchange programs.
(CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting and MUST President Joseph Hun-wei Lee renewing the Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Cooperation)
Following the meeting, CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting and MUST President Joseph Hun-wei Lee renewed the Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Cooperation between the two universities.
(The delegation visited the MUST Exhibition Hall of University History and Achievements and the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine.)
Visit to Hong Kong Department of Justice (DOJ)
On the morning of February 18, CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting and his delegation visited the DOJ of the Hong Kong SAR, where they held in-depth discussions with Secretary for Justice Mr. Paul T.K. Lam and Deputy Secretary for Justice Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan. The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in the training of foreign-related legal professionals. Following the discussions, both sides renewed the Arrangement on Legal Exchange and Cooperation between China University of Political Science and Law and the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Building upon previous cooperation, the renewed agreement expands practical collaboration in areas such as international arbitration, mediation, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, training programs for foreign-related legal professionals, and the promotion of the rule of law.
(CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting and Secretary for Justice Mr. Paul T.K. Lam signing the renewed Arrangement on Legal Exchange and Cooperation.)
After the signing ceremony, Jiang Zeting attended the opening ceremony of the National Training Course for Talents Handling Foreign-related Arbitration (Hong Kong), hosted by the Ministry of Justice and co-organized by CUPL and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy. The event was attended by Mr Yang Xiangbin, Director of the Bureau of Public Legal Services Administration of the Ministry of Justice; and Liu Changchun, Chairman of China Legal Service (Hong Kong) Ltd..
(CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting attending the opening ceremony of the National Training Course for Talents Handling Foreign-related Arbitration (Hong Kong))
Jiang Zeting stated that globalization is not a choice but an irreversible historical trend. He emphasized that China’s initiative to build a community with a shared future for mankind is gaining increasing recognition worldwide. CUPL will continue to actively collaborate with the DOJ of the Hong Kong SAR and other partners to further deepen practical cooperation and promote resource sharing. He highlighted CUPL’s commitment to cultivate high-caliber foreign-related legal professionals, providing world-class arbitration services for economic globalization, enhancing China’s rule-based business environment, and strengthening China’s influence in international legal affairs.
Visit to the University of Hong Kong(HKU)
On the afternoon of February 18, CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting and his delegation visited the University of Hong Kong (HKU), where they held in-depth discussions with President Zhang Xiang, Vice President Gong Peng, and other representatives. Both sides reached a consensus on jointly developing degree programs, sharing academic and research resources, innovating interdisciplinary talent development models, and strengthening comprehensive cooperation in law, business, and management.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Michael Ng, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law of HKU; Gao Pingyang, Associate Dean of HKU Business School; Zhu Weiming, Director of the MBA Program; and Dr. Ariel Li, Senior Program Manager of the Academic Liaison Office.
CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting remarked that HKU is a top-tier research university in Asia and globally, while CUPL is China’s premier institution for legal education. Over the years, the two universities have maintained a close and fruitful partnership in academic exchanges, student exchange programs, alliance-building initiatives, and short-term study programs during winter and summer vacations. He commended HKU’s remarkable achievements in social service, educational leadership, research innovation, and talent cultivation. Looking ahead, he expressed hope that both universities would further align their collaboration with national development strategies and the cultivation of urgently needed talent. By leveraging digital technology and interdisciplinary integration, the partnership aims to extend across multiple disciplines and fields, deepen cooperation, pioneer new models of collaboration, and achieve mutually beneficial development.
President Zhang Xiang recognized CUPL as a leading institution in Chinese legal education, contributing invaluable expertise to national development and the rule of law. He expressed HKU’s commitment to working closely with CUPL in training high-quality foreign-related legal talent and exploring joint interdisciplinary programs in areas such as big data, artificial intelligence, law, and finance. He also emphasized the importance of involving more faculties in exchange and cooperation, further expanding collaboration, and jointly advancing the academic partnership.
After the meeting, CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting and HKU President Zhang Xiang exchanged the newly signed Exchange Agreement between CUPL and HKU in the field of law.
( CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting and HKU President Zhang Xiang exchanging copies of the newly signed Exchange Agreement)
Visit to Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre(HKIAC)
On the morning of February 19, CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting and his delegation visited the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), where they held discussions with Chairman Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung, Secretary-General Joanne Lau, Deputy General Counsel Chen Fanghan, and Chief Representative of the Beijing Office Zhang Xi. They exchanged ideas and reached a consensus on further strengthening collaboration in the joint training of international arbitration talent, co-establishing internship and practice bases, sharing expert resources, developing joint course platforms, and enhancing the dual-mentorship training model.
CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting emphasized that in recent years, the demand for foreign-related arbitration has grown rapidly, and the Chinese government regards it as a crucial component of high-level opening-up and the development of foreign-related rule of law. He noted that CUPL and HKIAC have already established a solid foundation for practical legal education and expressed his hope for deeper cooperation in the future. He also proposed launching internationally influential academic exchange programs to provide a platform for discussions on cutting-edge theoretical and practical issues in arbitration.
Following the discussions, representatives from both sides engaged in further exchanges on specific topics and reached multiple cooperation agreements.
CUPL Council Chair Jiang Zeting was accompanied by:
Wang Hongsong, Director of the Party and Government Affairs Office, Director of the United Front Work Department of CPC
Yu Fei, Vice Dean of Graduate School
Lei Lei, Dean of the Law School
Tang Yan, Vice Director of the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Affairs Office
