Welcoming Ceremony for 6th LLM Programme for Chinese Judges & 8th Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges cum Graduation Ceremony for 5th LLM Programme for Chinese Judges: A Moment to Remember

12 July 2013
-Agnes Kwok

Group photo of the officiating guests

On 10 January 2014, the Welcoming Ceremony for 6th LLM Programme for Chinese Judges & 8th Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges cum Graduation Ceremony for 5th LLM Programme for Chinese Judges was held at City University of Hong Kong, marking commencement of the 8th Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges as well as the 6th LLM Programme for Chinese Judges. The ceremony was attended by the following officiating guests: Dr. CAO Shibing, Vice-President of National Judges College, People’s Republic of China; Mr. LIU Chunhua, Deputy Director-General, Legal Affairs Department, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Dr. TIAN Lixiao, Director-General, Department of Treaties and Law, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR; Mr. Adrian FU Hau Chak, Chairman of Fu Tak Iam Foundation Limited; Prof. Nohyoung PARK, Member of International Advisory Board of School of Law, City University of Hong Kong, Professor of International Law, School of Law, Korea University; Dr. Simon IP Sik-on, CBE, JP, Co-Chairman of International Advisory Board of School of Law, City University of Hong Kong, Vice-Chairman of Fu Tak Iam Foundation Limited; The Hon Andrew LIAO Cheung-sing, GBS, SC, JP, Member of International Advisory Board of School of Law, City University of Hong Kong, Non-official Member of Executive Council of HKSAR; Mr. George TAM Siu Ping, Member of International Advisory Board of School of Law, City University of Hong Kong, Assistant Supervisor, Wah Yan College, Hong Kong; Prof. WANG Guiguo, Director of Centre for Judicial Education and Research, City University of Hong Kong, Chair Professor of Chinese and Comparative Law, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong; and Prof. GU Minkang, Associate Dean, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong.

In his welcoming address, Prof. Wang Guiguo pointed out to the Chinese judges that “as the world including China is more globalized, there are a lot of international obligations to be fulfilled by governments. Many of these obligations require a part in what you do as a judge.”

“Through exchanges of knowledge and experience, the Chinese judge programmes enhance the integration of legal systems between Hong Kong and China,” Dr. Cao Shibing observed.

As the chairman of the sponsoring organization for the LLM Chinese judge programme in the past, Mr. Adrian Fu said that he firmly believes that education is fundamental to changing the world for the better. “It is most encouraging to see reforms being introduced by the leadership in this direction which fully justified our commitment to this programme.”

Prof. Nohyoung Park from Korea University took another angle looking at the Chinese judge programmes. “Considering the ever-increasing level and speed of economic, political and personal exchange between China and Korea, the role of judiciary on both sides is getting much more important.”

Dr. Simon Ip was glad that “the Chinese judge programmes we pioneered five years ago has become a topical issue and the leaders in China have embraced the idea of reform of the legal and judicial system.”

The Hon Andrew Liao foresaw that “the reform of the legal and judicial system in China will bring great prospect and great challenges and I am sure that you will find the experience you gain here useful as you embark on this challenge.”

Mr. DONG Jianzhong, Vice-President of Beijing Second Intermediate People’s Court and representative of the 8th Advanced Programme for Senior Judges, said that the deepening of communication and co-operation between mainland China and Hong Kong possesses a realistic and long-term significance. He was full of anticipation towards the programme which was going to unfold.

Mr. NIU Jingqi, Assistant Judge of Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court of Shaanxi Province and representative of the 6th LLM Programme for Chinese Judges, urged fellow judges to cherish the opportunities available at CityU, to develop an international vision and awareness of global communication.

Mr. ZHOU Jianjun, Judge of Qingdao Intermediate People’s Court of Shandong Province and representative of the 5th LLM Programme for Chinese Judges, depicted the memorable moments they shared at CityU in the past year, and thanked those who will become the sweetest part of their memories.

After the address by representatives of the Chinese Judges, the graduates of the 5th LLM Porgramme for Chinese Judges presented souvenirs to Mr. Adrian Fu to thank Fu Tak Iam Foundation, the past sponsor of the LLM Chinese judge programme; to Prof. Wang Guiguo to express gratitude to the Centre for Judicial Education and Research; and to Prof. Gu Minkang to express gratitude to CityU Law School.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Prof. Gu Minkang delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of CityU Law School. He urged every participating judge to cherish the chance to study in Hong Kong, be persistent to uphold the law, and work hard towards social justice and the supremacy of the law.