On May 11, 2024, the signing ceremony of the co-construction agreement between the Faculty of Law of Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.) and the Rule of Law Branch of Social Sciences Academic Press (SSAP), and the academic exchange lecture, were held in the R104 Conference Hall, Block R of M.U.S.T.. Vice Minister Li Yongxian and Deputy Director Xu Zhiping from the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region; Dr. Ji Xiangde, President of SSAP; Ms. Liu Xiaojun, Editor-in-Chief of the Rule of Law Bureau of SSAP; Mr. Sam Hio Tong, Head of the Division of Quality Assurance, Department of Tertiary Education, Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government; Dr. Tong Ka Lok, Vice-President of M.U.S.T.; Dean Fang Quan, Assistant Dean Yi Zaicheng, and the teachers and students of the Faculty of Law, with more than 40 people in attendance.
At the beginning of the event, Dean Fang Quan and President Ji Xiangde delivered speeches as representatives of both sides.
Dean Fang Quan stated that the Faculty of Law of M.U.S.T. has placed great emphasis on academic research. While nurturing interdisciplinary legal professionals who have a strong affection for the Motherland and Macao, the faculty encourages both teachers and students to publish academic papers and books through various means, such as establishing research platforms and organizing academic events. This is aimed at advancing the development of local and regional legal systems. The signing of this collaboration agreement not only signifies the academic confidence of the SSAP in the Faculty of Law but also holds significant importance for academic research and the future growth of the faculty. It also demonstrates the continuous enhancement of the regional influence of legal education and research in Macao. Moving forward, the two parties are expected to collaborate in establishing a legal research and academic publishing platform, contributing significantly to the promotion of the rule of law in Macao and the Greater Bay Area.
President Ji Xiangde expressed his sincere gratitude to the teachers and students of the Faculty of Law for their warm reception. He introduced the situation of SSAP, covering its development history, publication scale, competitive products, and future construction planning. The recently established Rule of Law Branch is dedicated to establishing a top-tier legal academic publishing and communication platform in the country. It has formed long-term and stable cooperative relationships with renowned law schools. The signing of the contract with the Faculty of Law anticipates comprehensive and in-depth collaboration in academic research and personnel training in the future. The focus will be on publishing the achievements of teachers and students and advancing the construction of regional rule of law.
At the signing ceremony, Dean Fang Quan and Editor-in-Chief Liu Xiaojun signed the cooperation agreement on behalf of the faculty and the press, respectively. Vice Minister Li Yongxian, President Ji Xiangde, Director Sam Hio Tong and Vice President Tong Ka Lok jointly witnessed the signing ceremony.
Figure I
Signing ceremony
Signing guests from left: Editor-in-Chief Liu Xiaojun, Dean Fang Quan
Witnesses from left: Vice President Tong Ka Lok, Vice Minister Li Yongxian, President Ji Xiangde, Director Cen Sam Hio Tong
Figure II
Dean Fang Quan presented a souvenir to Professor Ji Xiangde, the speaker of the lecture.
After the signing ceremony, Professor Ji Xiangde delivered a comprehensive academic lecture on the topic of “Chinese Modernization and Legalization of Criminal Defense”. Professor Ji Xiangde emphasized the importance of focusing on criminal defense and conducting in-depth studies. He also explored the interconnected relationship between the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and Chinese modernization, Chinese modernization and the modernization of the rule of law, as well as the modernization of the rule of law and the theoretical study of criminal defense. It is necessary to effectively learn from the international criminal procedure system and combine China’s national conditions to solve problems with Chinese methods. Currently, China’s criminal defense presents both opportunities and challenges. We should advance the modernization of Chinese-style rule of law starting from the legalization of criminal defense, then achieve the overall modernization of China through the modernization of Chinese-style rule of law, and ultimately accomplish the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Figure III
Professor Ji Xiangde
Figure IV
Group photo of Participants
