Macau University of Science and Technology and Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration Jointly Organize the Ceremony for the Appointment of Macau Arbitrators and Exchange Event

On the morning of September 22nd, the "Ceremony for the Appointment of Macau Arbitrators and Exchange Event" was held in the R104 Lecture Hall of Macau University of Science and Technology. The event was co-organized by the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Arbitration Center) and the Faculty of Law at Macau University of Science and Technology. The purpose of this event was to promote the free flow and full integration of arbitration resources within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and to further consolidate and deepen regional arbitration cooperation.

Group photo of the attendees

The ceremony for the appointment of Macau arbitrators and exchange event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Vice Minister Liu Zhongfeng from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Deputy Director Fong Peng Kit from the Legal Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, President Liu Xiaochun from the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, Dean Fang Quan from the Faculty of Law at Macau University of Science and Technology, and Macau arbitrator representatives Joaquim Jorge Neto Valente, Wei Dan, Zhao Yufu, Kuong Iok Kao, Shi Lixin, Tu Guangjian, Yi Zaicheng, Shen Yunqiao, Kuok Weng Mui, and Vong Sok Hei.

Also in attendance were Assistant Tang Xinding from the Legal Affairs Department of the Liaison Office, Secretary-General Zhao Feng from the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, Director Huang Guoyong from the Department of International Cooperation and Development, Legal Advisor Meng Wei, Legal Advisor Chen Yuming, Assistant Legal Advisor Yang Yuhang, Huang Shuxiang, a dedicated director at Nan Guang Group and representative members from the Macau Chinese Enterprises Association. Additionally, nearly 50 students from the Faculty of Law at Macau University of Science and Technology participated in the exchange event.

The ceremony was presided over by Secretary-General Zhao Feng from the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, and Dean Fang Quan from the Faculty of Law at Macau University of Science and Technology and President Liu Xiaochun from the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration delivered speeches at the event.

Dean Fang Quan of the Faculty of Law at Macau University of Science and Technology warmly welcomed the representatives of Macau arbitrators and the Macau Chinese Enterprises Association to the exchange event, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the visit of President Liu Xiaochun and his delegation. She stated that the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration is an outstanding pioneer among arbitration institutions in China. In recent years, the Faculty of Law at Macau University of Science and Technology has been dedicated to cultivating professional legal talents in arbitration, promoting theoretical research and practical exchanges in arbitration, offering a Master's degree program in international arbitration, establishing the "Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Research Center," and consistently providing arbitration foundation courses for the Macao World Trade Center Arbitration Center. The faculty has also signed cooperation agreements with several renowned arbitration and mediation institutions, aiming to leverage its strengths to serve the needs of the legal construction of arbitration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It is believed that through this event, closer ties will be forged between the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, local institutions, and Macau arbitrators, promoting the better provision of arbitration services for the development and construction of the Greater Bay Area.

Address by Dean Fang Quan

In his address, President Liu Xiaochun of the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration emphasized that as the first arbitration institution in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration is a product of China's reform and opening-up, the establishment of economic special zones, and cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macau. Since its establishment, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration has been committed to reform, continuous innovation, and actively promoting the internationalization, modernization, and professionalization of arbitration in China. In the past, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration has established a good and close relationship with Macau arbitration institutions and arbitrators. To date, a total of 18 local Macau arbitrators have been appointed as arbitrators of the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration. It is believed that in the future, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with Macau's arbitration institutions and work together with local Macau arbitrators to make further efforts in the construction and improvement of diverse dispute resolution mechanisms in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Address by President Liu Xiaochun

Following the speeches, a ceremony was held for the presentation of arbitrator appointment letters. Witnessed by Vice Minister Liu Zhongfeng from the Legal Affairs Department of the Liaison Office and Deputy Director Fong Peng Kit from the Legal Affairs Bureau, President Liu Xiaochun presented the arbitrator appointment letters from the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration to eleven Macau local arbitrators who were present at the event.

Arbitrator appointment letter presentation ceremony

（From left to right: Arbitrator Tu Guangjian, Arbitrator Yi Zaicheng, Arbitrator Kuok Weng Mui, Arbitrator Kuong Iok Kao, Arbitrator Wei Dan, Deputy Director Fong Peng Kit, Arbitrator Joaquim Jorge Neto Valente, President Liu Xiaochun, Arbitrator Fang Quan, Vice Minister Liu Zhongfeng, Arbitrator Zhao Yufu, Arbitrator Shen Yunqiao, Arbitrator Vong Sok Hei, Arbitrator Paulino Comandante）

Subsequently, Director Huang Guoyong and Advisor Meng Wei shared their insights on "The Innovative Development of SCIA and the Integration Mechanism with the Greater Bay Area Rules" and "Rules and Practice: How to Handle Cases at the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration." During the open discussion session, Arbitrator Zhao Yufu, Arbitrator Shen Yunqiao, Arbitrator Paulino Comandante, Arbitrator Yi Zaicheng, and Arbitrator Kuong Iok Kao spoke on further deepening the exchange and cooperation in international arbitration among the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and promoting the practical implementation of the integration mechanism for rules among the three regions. Finally, Deputy Director Fong Bingkit delivered a concluding speech for the event. The ceremony for the presentation of the Macau arbitrator appointment letters by the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (Greater Bay Area International Arbitration Center) and the exchange event concluded successfully in a vibrant atmosphere.

Director Huang Guoyong shares insights

Advisor Meng Wei shares insights

Scene from the event