Renowned and reputable law experts in Hong Kong and mainland China gathered at the Opening Ceremony for the Juridical Science Programme for Chinese Senior Judges, Master of Laws Programme for Chinese Judges, Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges, and Graduation Celebration for Chinese Judges 2023, organised by City University of Hong Kong (CityU) School of Law on 25 September.

The officiating guests included Justice Liu Guixiang, China’s Grand Justice of the second rank, Permanent Member of the Supreme People’s Court’s Judicial Committee (vice-minister level) and President of the National Judges College; Ms Lei Hong, Vice-President of the National Judges College; Ms Wang Xiaofang, Vice-President of the National Judges College; Mr Wang Jianyuan, Deputy Director, Legal Department of Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; and Mr Chen Jianzhong, Deputy Director-General, Department of Treaty and Law of The Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR.

The ceremony was also officiated by Mr Victor Dawes SC, Chairman of Hong Kong Bar Association; Mr C. M. Chan, President of the Law Society of Hong Kong; Dr Kenney Wong, member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR; Mr Zhao Zhenhua, President of China Legal Service (Hong Kong) Ltd; Professor Freddy Boey Yin Chiang, CityU President; and Professor Lin Feng, Dean of CityU School of Law.

 

Since 2008, CityU School of Law has collaborated with the Supreme People's Court and its affiliated National Judges College to offer the Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges. Subsequently, it introduced the Master of Laws Programme for Chinese Judges and the Juridical Science Programmes for Chinese Senior Judges, which have collectively trained hundreds of serving judges from mainland China.

Justice Liu quoted President Xi Jinping's emphasis on upholding the "One Country, Two Systems" policy in Hong Kong. He expressed his gratitude for CityU's role in nurturing judges who now possess a profound understanding of both Chinese law and common law principles. He encouraged the judges to remain diligent and committed to serving in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area.

Senior Counsel Victor Dawes and Solicitor C. M. Chan both highlighted Hong Kong's unique status as the only jurisdiction practising common law within mainland China, stressing the importance of legal exchange between Hong Kong and the Mainland. They expressed their hope that Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong would further strengthen cooperation with CityU by offering more external training opportunities for students in the future.

In his welcome address, President Boey extended his congratulations to all the graduating judges and emphasised the significant role of law during the national transformation. He highlighted that the CityU Law School stands as the sole institution in Hong Kong dedicated to providing such unique programmes for judges and said that he was proud that CityU is one of the components contributing to the development of the nation's legal framework.

“This will be one of the most important programmes for Hong Kong and the country,” he added.

In his closing remarks, Professor Lin expressed his gratitude to the Supreme People's Court and the National Judges College for entrusting CityU with the education of the judges, who, in turn, will contribute their valuable expertise to the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area. He pledged that the School of Law would continue to enhance the curriculum for greater benefits for all.

Three freshmen representatives thanked CityU for the training opportunity and pledged to apply their new-found knowledge in their careers. The graduates ascended the stage one by one to receive their certificates.